Public Service Commission chairman Mrs. Jeannette Cannonier yesterday proposed major changes to Government's hiring procedures and labelled the new spouses law as "ridiculous''.

Speaking out against critics who see the PSC as a political body intent on "frustrating Bermudian ambitions'', Ms Cannonier declared: "That is quite the contrary.

"The PSC has been more instrumental in Bermudianisation than any other group in Bermuda,'' she told the Hamilton Lions Club. "There's no question about that in my mind.'' Its decisions over the last 30 years had led to a Civil Service that was "almost Bermudian'' and whose competence was "extremely high''.

Mrs. Cannonier, who rarely makes public statements, spoke yesterday in an effort to clear up "ignorance'' about the PSC.

She also wanted to put to rest misconceptions the PSC was a "powerful, mysterious body which works in the shadows''.

"The (PSC) has been in the limelight fairly regularly of late and I am sure that some of you have had cause to wonder, `Just what do these people do','' she said.

The Opposition last November called for an end to Mrs. Cannonier's lengthy chairmanship of the PSC, recommending someone who was "not tainted politically'' to fill the post.

Since then controversy has followed civil service appointments, especially those within Customs, the Police Force and the judiciary.

Mrs. Cannonier insisted yesterday the PSC was fully independent.

"We are neither motivated nor influenced by politics. We simply want to choose the best person for the job. From time to time, we have been attacked by those who, because they disagree with one or other of our decisions, believe we should be brought to heel.

"Without thinking, they are advocating the removal of our independence. That, I believe, would have disastrous effects on our work, on the public service and on Bermuda generally.'' Politicians "know they have no place in the selection process, not even to make a recommendation'', she said.

But she acknowledged there were several weaknesses in the system, although most were "not things which are a problem now, but which could be''.

Listing ideas to make the Government hiring procedure fairer and more efficient, she said: "We depend to a considerable extent on information from the department heads, particularly when considering people in the service for promotion or appointment or other posts. If the information is tainted, we have no way of knowing and may make recommendations based on the information known to us at the time.'' Another weakness was that the PSC was often not involved in the recruitment of temporary workers, because the jobs were not full-time.

She said she was concerned that their recruitment without going through the PSC should not become "a common occurrence''.

"A third weakness is the ability of department heads to appoint people as consultants, particularly when it is intended for them to do a job which under normal circumstances would be filled through the PSC.'' The lack of opportunity for cross-training was also a potential problem, she said.

"There are a number of positions in Government where experience

2 PSC chairman speaks out can only be gained on the job, therefore making it necessary at times to bring in contract officers from overseas,'' she said.

"If the Government is seriously committed to Bermudianisation, it must make every effort to charge department heads with the responsibility of training -- not only their replacements, but those for other posts within their ministries.'' She said another proposal was to consider Bermudians outside the civil service at the same time as those inside, instead of only after serving officers had been ruled out.

"This move would make all Bermudians compete on an equal footing, ensuring public servants at no matter what level are as qualified as their counterparts in the private sector.'' The PSC was also looking at appointing those who lack formal qualifications, especially older civil servants "who by experience and performance, have shown themselves perfectly able. At the moment they are thwarted in their bids for promotion by their lack of qualifications.

"We think their experience, in some cases, should be treated as equivalent to a qualification.'' Mrs. Cannonier said the PSC was also in favour of having an independent body, such as the Cabinet Secretary, to hear appeals on disciplinary matters the PSC has ruled on.

Several PSC regulations also needed to be brought up to date.

And Immigration changes enabling non-Bermudians married to Bermudians to seek work without permits was causing "confusion''.

When asked her opinion by a Lion during a question period afterwards, she said: "I think that the (Immigration amendment) Act was the most ridiculous Act Government has passed in recent years. It breaks down one of the few areas brought in protection of Bermudians.'' Mrs. Cannonier stressed this was her personal opinion.

Mrs. Cannonier also said she would "fight tooth and nail'' if the PSC's independence was challenged.

On the issue of the PSC's silence, she said much of its work involved making judgments about people's qualifications, experience and character.

"To justify our decisions, therefore, would inevitably mean publicly debating the qualifications and character of individuals...which goes against the grain of all professional ethics.'' Mrs. Jeannette Cannonier