were fired last night as the three candidates addressed local constituents.

UBP members will choose between incumbent Mrs. Grace Bell and Mr. Custerfield Crockwell and Mr. Richard Spurling at next Tuesday's primary.

Last night all three faced local UBP members at St. David's Primary School.

Lawyer and former Chamber of Commerce chairman, Mr. Spurling concentrated on the economy, stating that Bermuda must prepare itself for the end of the recession.

"This is a principal concern of many people because everything follows from the economy,'' he said.

St. David's resident Mr. Crockwell, a former Police inspector and president of the Taxi Owners' Union, blamed increasing crime problems on drugs, but said he would tackle problems concerning the whole community if elected.

Mrs. Bell has been the MP for St. George's South for the past seven years. She said the Island was suffering from the effects of the global recession, but she also voiced her concern over much-needed improvements to the bridges linking the islands in the constituency.

Party members asked how tourism could be improved to boost the Island's economy. Mrs. Bell said that she backed the Tourism Minister, the Hon C.V.

(Jim) Woolridge, but said he was not being helped by foreign travel agents.

"Travel agents are telling people that Bermuda is expensive, but the magic of Bermuda is still there. People still want to come.'' Mr. Crockwell called for improvements in guest houses and hotels on the Island, and said that taxi tours were being hampered when attractions, like the lighthouse, were closed down.

Mr. Spurling linked tourism to the recession and said that he did not expect to see an improvement until world economies were more stable.

Both men called for more discipline at schools. Mr. Crockwell said: "I do not believe in brutalising the children but the firm hand must be kept in our classrooms.'' Mr. Spurling added: "We should invest dollars in improving the quality of our education and teachers, but there should be discipline. I believe that if we spare the rod we will spoil the child.'' Earlier Mrs. Bell praised the work of the present MP Sidney Stallard who has stood down for personal reasons.

And Mr. Crockwell announced that four six-seater taxis would be available to take UBP members to next week's vote.

Lawyer and president of the Bermuda Cricket Board of Control Mr. Ed Bailey was unanimously adopted as the UBP candidate for Sandys North last night.