Speaker of the House of Assembly Stanley Lowe yesterday urged MPs to be "statesmanlike" in debates following Works Minister Derrick Burgess' outburst in the House of Assembly two weeks ago.

Opposition Leader Kim Swan and and deputy Leader Trevor Moniz had approached the Speaker complaining about Mr. Burgess' comment aimed at Mr. Moniz two weeks ago.

Mr. Lowe told the House yesterday: "The tone of the debate didn't rise to the level of censure or reprimand. I do encourage all members to exercise restraint during debate and to be as statesmanlike as possible."

On Friday, June 18, Mr. Burgess had said to Mr. Moniz: "You never thought that you would have to come to slaves' children for an answer or a decision. That's the problem, he doesn't like that, Mr. Speaker, and he better get used to it".

His comment came during a heated debate sparked by Shadow Finance Minister E.T. (Bob) Richards' questions over Government's treatment of the Bermuda Cement Company.

Mr. Richards said it was unfair that a new company taking over BCC's lease would not have to abide by the same controversial Government-imposed conditions which forced shareholder Jim Butterfield to sell up.

But Mr. Burgess hit back in an angry Motion to Adjourn speech: "The history of this Country — we are always reminded of it.

"Before 1998, certain companies would get all the work. We started to change that and make it equal. Certain people in this Country were disqualified from even voting on some contracts.

"This Government changed that so that anyone can vote and they call that unfair? We made it fair and it was unfair when they were in power."

Last night, Mr. Swan said the UBP would assess a recording of the debate to see if they should seek to have Mr. Burgess' comments struck from the record.