adjourned after just 30 minutes.

United Bermuda Party leader Pamela Gordon and MP John Barritt blasted Government for failing to run the business of the Country properly.

Ms Gordon said: "The new Government made so much noise to the people of Bermuda in the lead-up to the General Election about the ideas and plans they had. But in the last few weeks, sessions have got shorter and shorter.'' And Ms Gordon claimed: "They wanted to prove they could meet more often than the UBP Government -- but they're more about form than substance.

"It's a shame, quite honestly.'' The attack came only a day after Opposition Whip Cole Simons slammed Government for failing to run the House of Assembly properly.

Ms Gordon added that there were two motions which could have been dealt with yesterday -- that included one from Progressive Labour Party backbencher Ottiwell Simmons dealing with a series of reports from the Auditor into Government finances under the previous administration.

It is understood UBP MP Trevor Moniz -- who planned to bring a motion dealing with vehicle pollution control forward yesterday -- withdrew it to allow fellow Opposition MPs time to read up on a report on the subject.

Mr. Barritt added: "We simply think this highlights the fact that there simply aren't the legislation or motions coming forward from Government to bring business to the House.

"What happened today is they were depending on us to take up Mr. Moniz' motion in order for the House to meet.

"But if they're looking at us to conduct the business of the Country, we're going to have to take that up.'' Government Ministers made a point of stressing when legislative items were carried over that they were doing so to allow the customary two weeks' grace period to pass to allow MPs time to read up on the proposed legislation.

Mr. Barritt said: "There was an opportunity to introduce legislation and there was nothing -- and it looks like its something which will continue for a while.

"To my mind, it's not acceptable. It's up to the Country to judge for itself.

There's clearly something wrong that they're not able to bring forward legislation and motions.'' Mr. Barritt added that last week the House spent the day on discussing a PLP motion on community policing.

He said: "Even that was premature because they couldn't share with us what Government is going to do to implement effective community policing.

"And what this Country is crying out for is action -- but that hardly seems possible the way we're proceeding now.'' And both Ms Gordon and Mr. Barritt dismissed the holding back of tabled legislation for the two-week period as poor planning on the part of the PLP.

Ms Gordon said: "They used to criticise us for scheduling our business -- adjourning the House for two weeks so we knew there would be something for us to do.

"It would be far more helpful if the Premier in adjourning would do it in the light of legislation they have coming down.'' And Mr. Barritt questioned why it had taken so long for Government to table a motion to deal with the UK's White Paper on its rewrite of relations with its colonies.

Britain has offered full rights to work and live in the UK to Overseas Territories citizens -- but also asked for up-to-date human rights legislation and stricter control of offshore finance.

Mr. Barritt said the UK planned the first meeting of a new-style Overseas Territories council for later this year.

And he said: "It's very important that Government say what positions they will take and how they arrived at these positions.'' Premier Jennifer Smith could not be contacted for comment last night.