Ombudsman Arlene Brock says Government has given "inadequate or inappropriate" responses to a third of the recommendations she made last year for improving the Bermuda Archives.

In a special report tabled in the House of Assembly on Friday, Ms Brock writes that she is not satisfied with 12 of the 35 responses provided by the Cabinet Office in February this year to her July 2009 Atlantica Unlocked report.

The Ombudsman states that many of the responses — which should have been given by the end of August 2009 — are "silent or vague with respect to timelines for implementing proposed actions".

She writes: "Accordingly — and to ensure that these matters are not shovelled under the rug — I request an update by September 30, 2010, of the status of the recommendations, including any reconsideration of all inadequate responses."

Cabinet Secretary Marc Telemaque told The Royal Gazette: "With respect to addressing the issues highlighted in the report, I can advise that a considerable amount of time and effort has been devoted to dealing with the issues and those efforts are ongoing."

Atlantica Unlocked was released following a six-month systemic investigation into the Archives by the Ombudsman, prompted by complaints that records were being withheld arbitrarily.

The damning report revealed evidence of maladministration and a high staff turnover at the official repository for Government records.

Ms Brock recommended that Archives director Karla Hayward be moved to a less front line role and a mentor/manager be brought in from overseas.

The special report reveals this response from Government to that suggestion: "The established post holder is a long-serving, dedicated and capable public servant, committed to the efficient running of the department and will be managed and supported as needed."

Ms Brock said: "This response is inadequate. The recommendation was not made capriciously, nor was the systemic report the first time senior officials were alerted to...concerns."

Another of her recommendations was that Ms Hayward refrain from making disparaging comments about staff and researchers. Government responded: "Personal comments about anyone are unprofessional and are discouraged in the Archives and in government in general."

Ms Brock said that was an adequate response "if true going forward". She added: "Since tabling [Atlantica Unlocked], I continue to receive reports of disparaging comments about third parties."

The Ombudsman recommended that guidelines be established for Archives staff to help them respond to public queries about such things as access, copyright, usage fees and research.

Government replied: "The Archives has no permanent public service staff at this time. Once fully staffed, the Archives will develop a handbook and orient staff to policy and practices governing the use of the collections."

In her special report, Ms Brock said: "Given the revolving door of staff, as well as current financial constraints, it is unlikely that the Archives will be 'fully staffed' in the near future, if ever.

"It is unrealistic to wait to produce staff guidelines until four highly specialised new posts are hired. Indeed, given limited staff, it is even more critical that the public should have as many guidelines as possible to conduct their own research — that is best practice elsewhere."

Asked when the Archives would be fully staffed, Mr. Telemaque replied: "Recruitment for the various, specialised areas within the Archives is actively under way and posts are expected to be filled shortly.

"A number of young Bermudians have expressed an interest in some of the relevant areas and where possible they will be taken on board and where necessary trained both locally and overseas."

Ms Brock was off Island and could not be reached for further comment.