Top Planning officials are refusing to comment after a senior employee failed to get his own house in order.

Two weeks ago The Royal Gazette revealed that Senior Building Inspector Gerald Tuzo had a second-storey balcony built at his Devonshire residence with no barrier railing -- which seemed to clearly indicate some form of safety hazard.

Following the revelation, Mr. Tuzo was ordered to get the railing installed by the end of August by Planning Director Brian Rowlinson.

But with the deadline now past, the balcony remains without a railing.

When a Royal Gazette reporter stopped by the residence to check out the situation on Monday, she discovered nothing had been done to rectify the situation -- and the balcony was exactly in the same condition.

Mr. Rowlinson told The Royal Gazette he was "not aware'' that Mr. Tuzo had failed to respond to his order.

And when asked for a reaction, he said he had no comment -- and hung up.

Assistant Planning Director Aideen Ratteray Pryse said securing a contractor and completing the construction were entirely different matters.

"Mr. Tuzo has informed us that he has gotten a contractor and assured us that (work on the railings) will be done,'' Mrs. Ratteray Pryse said.

But the incident has seen the department accused of favouritism.

When Shadow Environment Minister Ottiwell Simmons was told of the situation, he said: "If there are double standards being used, this is wrong -- Government's efficiency must come into question.

"Government should do its statutory duty by looking into the matter thoroughly and treating all people the same.'' But Environment Minister Harry Soares said his hands were tied on the matter since the Planning Department operated independently from the Ministry when dealing with staff issues.