criticism for his handling of the C.V. (Jim) Woolridge affair in the House of Assembly.

But he deserves credit for standing up on Friday and bringing the matter to a close.

Mr. Woolridge has been absent from the House since February 23 when he called Telecommunications Minister Renee Webb " a piece of trash'' and refused to apologise.

Mr. Woolridge was replying to Ms Webb who had alleged he had paid for a car via a private business deal many years ago. Mr. Lowe said he only heard Mr.

Woolridge's remark.

On Friday, Mr. Lowe said he had investigated the matter and had met with Mr.

Woolridge. "I am now aware that he became uncontrollably provoked, which led him to make the remarks for which he was ordered to apologise or withdraw from the House,'' Mr. Lowe said.

The Speaker added: "No further useful purpose will be served by his continue absence from the House.'' Mr. Lowe said there was nothing wrong with a robust debate, but he implored members to show respect for one another.

Mr. Lowe has handled the end of this dispute with aplomb and courage and deserves credit for that. He has also served notice that he will consider both sides of any argument before coming to judgment and that alone should raise standards of behaviour in the House of Assembly.

There are times when the standard of debate in the House degenerates into rather pathetic and childish name calling, and there are also times when the heckling is deeply personal and hurtful.

That has no place in Bermuda's Parliament. "Robust'' and direct debate on the issues of the day and on the record of the Members of the House should be expected, however.

And any MPs who cannot take that kind of heat should get out of the kitchen.

Say what? St. George's South MP the Rev. Wilbur Lowe has to be credited with the most curious quote of the week, which he made at a meeting of St. David's residents who are unhappy with plans to house "civil'' prisoners in a building at Southside.

Mr. Lowe, who apparently only learned some of the details of the plan recently, said: "It may seem there is a communications gap between MPs and Cabinet but that's not true. We just find out in the 11th hour.'' Enough said.