The British Government has denied Premier Alex Scott's claims that it is seeking to tighten its grip on the colonies.

On Thursday Mr. Scott told a press conference he had been advised by letter of a change in policy and was seeking clarification.

He said: "I have received correspondence that suggests the British are maybe looking at ways in which they tighten responsibilities and authority on the territories, some territories they are responsible for.

"I would want to hear it first hand because Bermuda prides itself on being a self governing territory."

He said he didn't think it was anything to worry about but he wanted clear-the-air talks. Mr. Scott said he is hoping to meet Overseas Territories Minister Bill Rammell and possibly British Prime Minister Tony Blair when he visits England for the ruling Labour Party's annual conference which runs from September 28 to October 2.

However a Foreign Office spokesman said yesterday: "There has been no change in policy. It's been very clearly set out in the past what the policy is. There is no change that I am aware of. I don't know what he means."

The spokesman said any change in policy would have to be announced in parliament. "Something of that magnitude would be fairly widely known."

Garbage collection due to take place in St. George's yesterday, but cancelled because of the threat of bad weather, will now be collected today. Residents are asked to put their garbage out this morning, as usual.

The Road Safety Council will continue to push for safer roads - even though it has not met in the three weeks since Hurricane Fabian struck the Island.

It was just a month ago that the Island was reeling from three road deaths over a span of 11 days and now chairman of the council Dr. Joseph Froncioni has promised the committee is planning to meet and put proposals to the Government.

"To start with we will address enforcement because we are very concerned for the general disregard for the law and I think the penalties should be greater," Dr. Froncioni said.

The other issue Dr. Froncioni said would be addressed was deterrence and the council would be considering the most effective ways to deter unsafe driving practices. "We don't just want to catch people we want to deter people, right now the fines are not deterring people and I think the penalties should be greater."

The `slap on the wrist' mentality of fines for such road safety issues as drunken driving needed to be changed and Dr. Froncioni said the matters would be discussed in the next couple of weeks. He also said that the time was right to take action.

Recommendations had been put to Government to introduce stricter helmet laws but Dr. Froncioni said the plan had to be resubmitted to Cabinet and that had been done.

"There is every indication that more stringent helmet laws will go through. The issue of bus crossings will not be a topic at the moment because it is still under investigation although it has been talked about at length."

Tropical Storm Juan robbed Bermuda's Jews of their visiting rabbi for one of the most important events in their calendar.

Rabbi A.Nathan Abramovitz and his wife Babs were due to fly in yesterday morning to lead the Rosh Hashanah, or New Year, services last night. But due to the closure of the Causeway and the airport he was unable to do so and will now only arrive on Monday.

This left Fiona Elkinson, who leads the services throughout the year, to once again take the helm at the Royal Hamilton Amateur Dinghy Club.

She will be doing the same for this morning's three hours of services although the Rabbi is expected to arrive on Monday and will be leading the services on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, the following week. Even before the arrival of Juan, the rabbi's plans had already been disrupted by Fabian as he was due to stay in the Southampton Princess.

The Rabbi has sent his best wishes to the community, which consists of around 120 members, and is said to be devastated at being unable to attend this weekend's services.