Ministry of Tourism's new promotional video.

The row centred on the number of black people in the video promoting the Island in other countries.

Shadow Minister of Community Affairs Mr. Reginald Burrows claimed on Wednesday that comparing blacks to whites in the video did not give the correct impression of the racial mix in Bermuda.

And it caused Tourism Minister the Hon. C.V. (Jim) Woolridge leapt from his seat and rushed to the speaker's chair in anger.

Mr. Burrows started the argument by saying young people would not be attracted to Bermuda on the evidence of the video.

He said: "One would have thought that this particular film could have gone down into Court Street which has the best clubs in Bermuda.

"Many times tourists have asked me for the places to go and I have recommended Court Street. These people did not believe clubs like this existed in Bermuda.'' Mr. Burrows then pointed out the racial mix on the video. He said: "When people see the video they would not believe that we had black people living in Bermuda.

"The composition of blacks to whites does not represent the composition of blacks to whites in Bermuda.'' At this point Mr. Woolridge leapt to his feet shouting: "You are ridiculous and stupid. I do not suffer fools gladly.'' He apologised and went back to his seat on the Government front bench. Mr.

Burrows continued: "I did not say that there were no black people in the film. I said that people will find the majority of the population in Bermuda are black, when they come over thinking it is a white country.

"I did not say that to criticise the Minister but simply to ask that the next film has a better racial mix.'' Mr. Woolridge said: "Let me apologise for having lost my temper. I do not like people who pervert the truth. I am disappointed by Mr. Burrows.

"I have noted at least 100 people in the video who are black and the only non-Bermudian is the musical conductor.'' The Minister pointed out the majority of the 41-piece Bermuda Regiment Orchestra, the Gombeys, 15 gospel singers, three out of four Policemen and four people playing tennis, in the video, all of whom were black.

He said: "For the honorable member to stand up and say there are no black people is misleading this Country. He has been telling barefaced lies.'' Speaker the Hon. David Wilkinson asked Mr. Woolridge not to use the word "liar'' in the House of Assembly.