fury in the House of Assembly.

Shadow Youth Minister Dr. Ewart Brown said Government's approach smacked of colonialism and the need to punish.

"This is a birch parking system,'' he scoffed, taking a swipe at proposed $30-a-day penalties for illegal parking.

The Progressive Labour Party -- with Shadow Transport Minister Mr. Dennis Lister leading the attack -- made it clear it backed in principle the Civil Airports (Pay and Display Parking) Amendment Regulations 1994.

But it strongly disagreed with the method of payment suggested by the United Bermuda Party Government.

The proposed regulations were introduced for MPs' consideration on Friday by Transport Minister the Hon. Maxwell Burgess .

The legislation sets out a fee schedule for a long day car park: $3, one day; $6, two days; $9, three days; $10, four days; $12, five days; $14, six days; $15, seven days; $25, eight to 14 days; $30, 15-21 days; and $35, 22-30 days.

Motorists who park their vehicles longer than permitted would face a $30-a-day penalty.

And they would be hit by a similar penalty if their cars were detained.

Under the regulations, the Minister can designate any place at the Airport as a short stay or long stay car park.

Mr. Burgess told MPs the proposed fees would help towards the running of the Airport.

Opposition MPs said they supported the idea in principle, accepting the need to charge.

But they called for a system in which people flying abroad paid for parking after they returned -- and not before.

This way motorists whose return to Bermuda was delayed, for whatever reason, would not be hit by tough penalties.

Mr. Lister said under the proposed legislation a person who came back to Bermuda two days later than planned would face a $60 penalty.

On top of this, the motorist, whose car was taken away, would be hit by a towing fee of some $45 or $50.

"It means he would end up paying $110 for the two extra days, instead of just $6 as set out under the fee schedule,'' said Mr. Lister.

Mr. Lister also questioned what security would be provided for cars while owners were away.

He suggested the legislation had not been properly thought out.

The Minister's power to designate a car park was also a matter of concern, said Mr. Lister.

"We have to be concerned about giving the Minister such a broad power.'' Mr. Lister called for Mr. Burgess to take the proposals back to the drawing board.

Shadow Human Affairs Minister Ms Renee Webb believed Government had already made up its mind on the parking method.

She was sure the pay-and-display machines had been bought, and nothing the Opposition said would change things.

"The legislation before us today is a clear example of how the Westminster system does not work.'' Opposition leader Mr. Frederick Wade , saying it was clear Government needed to rethink the legislation, put forward a motion the debate be adjourned.

The motion was controversially carried after Speaker the Hon. Ernest DeCouto put it to the House, and no Government MPs objected.

Several UBP MPs, among them Mr. Burgess, protested in vain they had not heard the Speaker.

The proposed regulations will be discussed again on Friday.