people who are not absorbed by the activities already planned for the summer, an Opposition Senator said yesterday.

Sen. Neletha Butterfield made this claim in the Upper House during the motion to adjourn this week.

Sen. Butterfield said that with the approaching summer break and worries about the level of violence perpetrated by young people, it was important for Government to find ways to keep Bermuda's youth occupied during the summer months.

The Opposition Senator said she was concerned that the summer camps run by the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Recreation did not extend over the whole summer.

But Government Senate leader the Hon. Gerald Simons said Government was aware of the problem and had already taken significant steps to respond to the problem of youth violence through anger management programmes in the schools.

He said that while Government accepted a measure of responsibility for Bermuda's children, parents also needed to play a role.

Opposition Senate leader Sen. Milton Scott said Government's scheduling system with contractors needed to be improved so that secondary schools could be ready on time for the new school year.

Sen. Scott said the decrease in money for the Juvenile Liaison scheme was exactly the opposite of what was required if the Police Service was going to be able to tackle youth crime.

He said that the Police Service should consider bringing back the sports cards which were so popular with Bermuda's children.

Sen. Lister said the 10 per cent downturn in the tourism industry was not a good sign.

He said Bermuda was not too expensive for its tourists as long as the quality they were paying for was also there.

Sen. Gary Pitman , UBP, said the problems expressed about the new secondary school could be addressed as long as the facility received a "top notch'' headmaster and staff.

Sen. Lynda Milligan-Whyte , UBP, meantime, said the bleak picture being painted about Bermuda and its problems was unfair.

She said there were positive and significant things happening in Bermuda with students graduating from Bermuda College and attending top universities in the world.

Sen. Milligan-Whyte said it was as important to have programmes for young people as it was for parents to encourage young people to use them.

Senate President the Hon. Albert Jackson said the passage of the United States Navy from Bermuda should not pass without some recognition of the significant role they played in Bermuda's development.

He said the American forces had been good neighbours, partners and residents while they were here and had been very congenial dwellers.

As a result of their presence Bermuda received an airport and economic growth.

"As this era draws to a close we feel a sense of loss and indebtedness,'' he said. "We have been fortunate to have had this association and we bid them a fond farewell.''