come under fire from Opposition in the House of Assembly.

Minister of the Environment the Hon. Ann Cartwright DeCouto said that the Ministry keeps a watchful eye on Bermuda.

But Mrs. Cartwright DeCouto was attacked by Shadow Environment Minister Mr.

Julian Hall and Independent MP Mr. Stuart Hayward .

Mr. Hall said: "The Government does not deserve the title of watchdog. It has not yet lived up to the self-imposed label.'' Mr. Hayward attacked the Government's role in the Tynes's Bay Incinerator project asking how the Ministry can be both an applicant and a regulatory body.

He said: "The Government is not an environmental watchdog but seems to follow the former US administration seeing the best way to deal with the environment as confiscation and neglect.'' The Environment Minister said the budget is 1.3 percent down on the previous year which has meant a 21 percent fall over the past three fiscal years.

Mrs. Cartwright DeCouto said: "In order to make budget cuts we have had to curtail some programmes and services which is particularly difficult because demands by the public continue to increase.'' A new vehicle filled with air monitoring equipment has been bought for $27,000 and will check levels of air quality at "hot spots'' where pollution is believed to be occurring.

The importance of the Bermuda Biological Station for Research was stressed by the Minister, and their budget has been raised by $3,000, after remaining unchanged for three years.

Mrs. Cartwright DeCouto pointed out how the station has given Bermuda a high profile in environmental matters in the world, as well as the work they are now doing with schoolchildren in the Island, including the Jason Project.

Bermuda is also gaining international importance in its preservation of wetlands. Eight of the Island's wetlands have been recognised by Ramsar, the worldwide wetlands convention. They are Lovers Lake in Ferry Point, Trott's Pond/Mangrove Lake, Spittal Pond, Devonshire Marsh, Pembroke Marsh, Hungry Bay Mangrove Swamp, Paget Marsh and Warwick Pond.

Mrs. Cartwright DeCouto particularly pointed out Belco as causing some pollution problems.

Shadow Finance Minister, Mr. Eugene Cox said the Government was talking about bringing in environmental standards which should have been introduced over three decades of UBP Government.

Mr. Cox said: "The Government should have standards and should be concerned about the health of our citizens. All institutions, like Belco and the TCD should be pleased to follow these regulations.'' However he asked Government to listen to experts who believe that ozone depletion and global warming theories are wrong, to get both sides of the story.

Mr. Hall said: "We need to concentrate on environmental concerns a lot more than we have historically done. We need to pay more than lip service to the notion of preservation of the environment.'' He said: "We in the PLP are concerned about the need to enhance understanding and appreciation in the community generally about environmental issues. We are willing to hold hands with the Government on these issues.'' Mr. Hall was concerned that an editorial in The Royal Gazette gave the impression that the Opposition is against eco-friendly electric cars. He said that the PLP supported such cars particularly solar-powered cars which are even better for the environment.

Government MP the Hon. John Stubbs said he believed electric cars would return Bermuda to quieter times before loud motorbikes.

But Mr. Stubbs warned against going too far with environmental concerns. He said: "The effect of over regulation and over supervision, like the US under the previous administration, are economically corrosive, but we can take a lot of advice from our American friends who are pacesetters in many ways.'' National Liberal Party Leader, Mr. Gilbert Darrell said that he was worried with the incinerator project making ash into concrete and placing it in Castle Harbour near to the airport.

And he expressed concerns that other plans to deposit some of the concrete in Tyne's Bay would affect marine life.

Shadow Transport Minister, Mr. Walter Lister expressed fears over bleaching of the concrete polluting the sea.

Works Minister the Hon. Clarence Terceira said tests have been carried out and there will be minimal bleaching.

Dr. Terceira said: "The concrete will be laid in a grid system with palm trees and, since we live on such a small island, it will prove to be an invaluable extension to Bermuda itself.'' Mrs. Cartwright DeCouto said that the Government had permission for the Castle Harbour scheme, but were considering applying to place the concrete ash into Tyne's Bay.

She said the Ministry had employed an expert to look at potential problems, who had 12 years experience of working with concrete ash blocks.

One of Parliament's two independent MPs, Mr. Hayward questioned the Government's role as applicant and overseer for the incinerator and asked for a long overdue report on the waste management programme. He produced a letter from the Development Applications Board demanding the report in September, four months overdue. Dr. Terceira said the report had been produced earlier.

Mr. Hayward said: "The Ministry's record, in this particular case, is inefficient, ineffective and it has demonstrated its unwillingness to carry out enforcement when that enforcement is on itself.'' He asked that the National Trust be included on the review board for the incinerator project. Mr. Hayward, during a 50-minute speech, went on to say: "The Environment Ministry was toothless now it appears that its gums are being removed. There is a lot of talk about what we will be doing but not what has been done. It is a will-be ministry.'' The Minister went on to discuss land valuations and had little time to speak about fisheries.

Mr. Hall had asked for a minute at the end of the debate to make certain points but Mrs. Cartwright DeCouto would not yield to his appeals.

MINISTRY OF THE ENVIRONMENT, 1993 994 ESTIMATES Ministry objective: "To regulate the development of land, protect the environment, provide for the valuation of land, promote the development of agriculture and fisheries, and to promote the wise use of land and effective management of agriculture, fisheries and park resources.'' Budget estimate $11,455,000 (last year $11,418,000) Budget allocations Department of Planning $1,682,000 Agriculture, Fisheries and Parks $8,977,000 Land Valuation $389,000 Ministry of the Environment HQ $407,000.

The Hon. Ann Cartwright DeCouto.