adjourned yesterday.

The fuming politicians were faced with banishment, with their cigarettes, out to the House's South Veranda and any rain or wind outside.

It followed a heated debate with political divisions ignored as smokers harangued anti-smokers.

Smokers and some non-smokers asked for a room to be put aside for cigarette sessions during Parliamentary debate.

But Health Minister the Hon. Quinton Edness is keen to make a progressive ban with a smoking room made available for six months and then a total ban in the precincts of the House.

At present smokers leave the chamber to have their cigarettes in the offices of the clerk's staff.

Chairman of the House and Grounds Committee, Mr. Ernest DeCouto said that the committee had decided to send smokers out to the South Veranda.

Mr. DeCouto said: "Our policy is inconsistent with other public buildings. We also know that other businesses in the Island have banned smoking.'' Home Affairs Minister the Hon. Irving Pearman said: "My view is that most businesses who have done this are trying to accommodate both parties by designating smoking areas. This report takes away the right of people to show due consideration to others.'' PLP leader, Mr. Freddie Wade admitted to smoking three packs of cigarettes a day for 15 years, until he gave up eight years ago. But Mr. Wade was against the banishment of smokers out of the building. He pointed out that the ban would also affect prisoners during trials. He said: "It would not be fair to deny a defendant a cigarette while he was awaiting the return of the jury.'' Committee member Mr. Eugene Blakeney, who quit 25 years ago, said: "We are not saying they should not smoke but that they should not inconvenience others.'' Smoker, Mrs. Ann Cartwright-DeCouto said that the report had misled people into believing that everyone on the committee had agree to the report's recommendations but she pointed out that one member had refused to sign it.

She said: "Sometimes we are here until four or five in the morning. Is everyone going to have to go out in the dark grounds of this House at 4 a.m.? I think it is eminently unreasonable.'' Anti-smoker Shadow Minister of Delegated Mr. Stanley Morton demanded that the offenders be banished to the South Veranda. He said: "They are at the same level as people who are hooked on drugs.'' But he was blasted by smoker, Ms Jennifer Smith who said that smokers should not have to go to the South Veranda, and pointed out that the key had been lost to the south door.

However, before any decision could be made, the subject was adjourned with a vote of 18 to 14. It gave the smokers a respite before any decision is made.