"net increase'' in Ministry of Education staff, despite the possible creation of new education officer posts.

Dr. Saul was responding to questions tabled earlier by Shadow Education Minister Miss Jennifer Smith in the House of Assembly.

Miss Smith, referring to an article in the Bermuda Sun on October 9 which indicated that the Finance Ministry had "prompted' the plan to create 40 new civil service posts in the Education Ministry, asked Dr. Saul to explain this in light of his promise that there would be no creation of new civil servants posts.

Dr. Saul said the Education Ministry, in conjunction with the Department of Management Services, is currently carrying out an organisational and staff review of the Ministry.

"As a part of that review the feasibility of having regular civil servants provide certain services currently being delivered in the Ministry by seconded teachers is being examined,'' he said.

"It may well be that some education officer posts will be created to provide these services, but those posts would more than likely be filled by seconded teachers currently providing the services in the Ministry or by teachers in the school system.

"Consequently, it is not anticipated that there will be a net increase in the Ministry of Education staff, which includes teachers.'' But Miss Smith, in a supplementary question, asked if it was correct that with an increase in the level of staff, there would have to be an increase in salaries.

Dr. Saul said currently there are seconded teachers at the Ministry who are paid at teachers' salaries and given overtime.

"We're attempting to see a rationalisation of the salaries paid,'' he said.

"I do not think there will be any net increases in numbers or in net salaries.'' Miss Smith pointed out that in the same article the proposal was said to be part of a "total review that is being conducted of the whole Education Department''.

She asked if the review included a study of the Education Planning Team's recommendations about staffing of the Education Department.

Dr. Saul said it did, adding "it remains to be seen which recommendations are included in the final report which will be submitted to Government by the Department of Management Services''.

Miss Smith also asked if it was true that the Finance Ministry instructed the Education Department to "cut a number of teachers''.

"We're asking all departments to review their departments,'' Dr. Saul said.

"They're looking at programmes as well as staff.''