into the demolition of asbestos-laden buildings at Southside.

Health Minister Nelson Bascome ordered the inquiry on June 30 into claims that the demolition of buildings at Texas Road had been carried out without a Health Department permit.

Eyewitnesses said most workers employed by St. George's South Progressive Labour Party MP Arthur Pitcher did not have dust masks and that asbestos was transported off the site in open trucks.

Mr. Pitcher has the contract from Bermuda Housing Corporation to build 20 low-cost homes on the site.

Mr. Bascome told The Royal Gazette yesterday the first draft report had been completed and that the final report would be tabled before the House of Assembly when it is completed.

He said officials had interviewed and taken statements from 11 people.

BEEF GIVEN ALL CLEAR BUC HTH Beef given all clear Bermuda has not been affected by a food scare which resulted in New Hampshire company Jac Pac Foods recalling 210,000lbs of ground beef because of fears it may carry the e-coli bug.

Butterfield and Vallis is the exclusive distributor of Jac Pac foods in Bermuda, but the ground beef products affected in the scare have not been on the Island since the end of last year.

Butterfield and Vallis food services general manager Alun Hughes said his company now has its own butchery department on the Island.

Jac Pac recalled the beef products from almost a dozen states in the US following an investigation into illnesses in Vermont.

MAN ASSAULTED CRM Man assaulted A man claims he was viciously assaulted by a knife-weilding attacker on Monday afternoon.

A dispute broke out between the two men around 1.30 p.m. at Admiralty House, Pembroke while the victim was attempting to use a public telephone. He was approached by a man brandishing a knife.

The attacked man suffered a bloody nose and a bruise to his left eye after the accused grabbed the phone and smashed him in the face before fleeing.

Police have obtained a description of the man and the matter is currently under investigation.

SENATORS SIT TODAY SEN Senators sit today Legislation intended to kickstart a recovery of the tourism industry is expected to pass the Senate today.

Senators are expected to agree the Hotels Concession Act 2000 at their session today, just leaving the Governor to sign it into law -- and paving the way for new tourism developments to benefit from financial assistance.

The act is being presented after an administrative problem with the amended legislation meant it could not be considered by the Senate last week.

Also being considered are the Revenue Amendment Act, the Companies Amendment Act and the Human Rights Amendment Act -- which are expected to provoke intense discussion amongst Senators.

It was heavily debated in the House of Assembly but eventually passed to give greater protection for groups such as AIDS sufferers or former criminals from discrimination.

Also on the agenda is draft Regulations, the Post Office Amendment Regulations, which will increase the price of stamps.

SUSPECT ARRESTED CRM Suspect arrested Police have arrested a 23-year-old man after a violent robbery at the bus terminal on Thursday night.

The 56-year-old victim was punched before the assailant grabbed cash from his shirt pocket and escaped. The robber was picked up a day later and has been released on Police bail.

ARSONISTS STRIKES FIR CRM Arsonist strikes A boat was set on fire by an unknown arsonist at the weekend.

The perpetrator set alight one of the tyres on the boat's trailer at Bakery Lane, Pembroke.