tries to stop the spread of AIDS, Health Minister the Hon. Quinton Edness said yesterday.

Mr. Edness said he would discuss both the distribution of hypodermic syringes and condoms in a speech he would deliver in the House of Assembly today.

To date, 213 people had died of the disease, and Government had to look at "very controversial measures -- some of which are being discussed elsewhere,'' the Minister told The Royal Gazette .

"We need to explain and explore whether or not it would help Bermuda to reduce the spread of AIDS that comes from IV drug use if we provided syringes or needles to prevent the contamination and the spread of AIDS in that particular area,'' he said.

The syringe option promises to stir debate today when the Minister presents his motion "that this House take note of the devastating effects of the spread of the HIV/AIDS virus in our community and the effective means of combatting it.'' Mr. Edness said he was not taking a position on whether free syringes should be available in Bermuda.

But he noted intravenous drug use was "one of the most volatile areas that brings the disease into the heterosexual community.'' If such a measure was taken, a change would be required to a Bermuda law that made such paraphernalia illegal if used for illicit drugs.

An article in the current issue of Scientific American examined how free needle distribution had been used to combat AIDS in other countries, he said.

"While this may work in Amsterdam and in Bangkok and wherever, it may not be necessary here in Bermuda, but we'll examine it.'' Free distribution of condoms in schools was also "not an easy issue'' to tackle, but "we're going to have to talk about it sensibly and intelligently -- not from such an emotional standpoint, but whether or not it is going to help protect our young people.'' Mr. Edness said he expected "one of the most cooperative, beneficial, and fruitful debates'' the House had seen.

"Everybody in Bermuda has been touched by AIDS -- everybody,'' he said. "The main thing that I would hope would come out of this debate is that we would heighten our awareness of the danger of this disease that we are facing, which has the potential to decimate a society.

"With that realisation, we must recognise that we as political leaders must be very bold in getting rid of the stereotypes and introducing imaginative and effective programmes to help protect our people.'' Also in the House today, MPs are to consider a proposal to purchase a one-bedroom cottage at North Street and Marsh Lane for future parkland.

A motion from Deputy Opposition Leader Mr. Walter Roberts that Government resume twice-weekly garbage collection could go ahead, but it is likely to be deferred for two reasons.