Opposition members of the House of Assembly yesterday.

Shadow Social Services Minister Mr. Nelson Bascome led the series of questions on the prison system to Social Services Minister the Hon. Quinton Edness by asking if he has ever allowed prisoners, who were not on parole nor under psychiatric evaluation, to join the work programme at the Maritime Museum.

Mr. Edness refused to answer the question in the House, explaining that it would not be appropriate in view of recent developments, particularly the pending trial of Casemates prisoner Leroy Burgess who is charged with killing German visitor Miss Antja Herkommer last month.

"The area referred to is indeed a very sensitive one and care should be taken not to prematurely divulge information which may have some bearing on that trial,'' Mr. Edness said, adding that he would be happy to answer Mr.

Bascome's question publicly at a later date.

Mr. Bascome also asked that Mr. Edness reveal the statistical frequency with which persons are released on parole from Warwick compared to other parishes.

Mr. Edness said while statistical frequency was not available, there are 35 people on parole in Bermuda, with nine from Pembroke; eight from Devonshire, five from St. George's; four from Sandys and Warwick; three from Southampton; one from Hamilton Parish and Smith's; and none from Paget.

"Prisoners are released on licence because they become eligible,'' Mr. Edness said. "The Minister does not initiate the process nor does he take the address of the inmate into consideration.'' He also denied that he was implying, by stating on April 28 in the Mid-Ocean News "the Government was looking into the relationship between the Government, the Commissioner of Prisons and the Public Service Commission'', that there has not been a satisfactory relationship between these parties.

Independent MP Mr. Stuart Hayward asked Mr. Edness what his position was on the "impending'' release of Chesterfield Johnson, in light of recent charges against Casemates prisoner Leroy Burgess.

Mr. Edness said Johnson's release is not pending, adding that his position has not changed from that publicly stated previously.

But pursuing the matter with supplementary questions, Mr. Hayward asked what assurance does the public have that when Johnson is eventually released, he will not commit the same crime again.

Mr. Edness said Johnson is on a sexual offenders treatment programme, modelled after the Canadian Correctional Facility's rehabilitation programme, which will be extended to all sexual offenders.

And he said authorities are considering whether Johnson should be treated abroad as well.

"Depending on his progress, decisions will be made on whether he should be released.'' Mr. Edness also said reviews into the prison system will be brought before the House in the near future.

National Liberal Party MP Mr. Gilbert Darrell brought up the matter of money missing from the Supreme Court.

And he asked Premier the Hon. Sir John Swan to tell the House "which civil servant is directly responsible for the administration and ministerial functions of the courts and the security of exhibits placed therein''.

Sir John said the courts fall under the realm of the Chief Justice and the Supreme Court Registrar is responsible for the day-to-day administration of the court.

"And by virtue of that, (that) office is accountable in the final analysis for the security of exhibits placed therein,'' he said. "The Registrar reports to the Chief Justice. There are no ministerial functions in respect of the courts.'' Mr. Hayward asked: "Who then is responsible to the people when things (such as the $25,000), go missing''.

"If there is anything he finds that is untoward in his court, the Chief Justice sees to it that an inquiry is conducted,'' Sir John said.