former rest home matron left destitute after retiring, Minister the Hon.

Quinton Edness said yesterday.

Mr. Edness pointed the finger at the St. George's Parish Vestry, saying it was solely responsible for managing the Government-funded rest home.

His response sparked anger from St. George's North MP Mr. Leon (Jimmy) Williams.

Mr. Williams said he was "shocked'' Mr. Edness hadn't stepped in and seen to it that Mrs. Dorothy Crane -- left with no pension after devoting 50 years to managing the old-age home -- was financially taken care of.

Mr. Williams said he was also surprised the Vestry, which he claimed was running one of the most "deplorable'' parish homes on the Island, still appeared to be washing its hands of the case.

"I would have thought that at this point in time they would've looked at it more carefully and taken into consideration the years she has given and that there has been no reward for her long service.'' Mr. Williams, who has met with the Vestry on Mrs. Crane's behalf, said he did not understand why Government was not taking care of her.

"Something is fundamentally wrong if a person retires and doesn't even get a pension because no plan was in place,'' he said.

But Mr. Edness said: "The Government is not responsible for the administration of the homes. I assume the staff have the same benefits as any other full-time employees. If that's not happening then I have to believe a mistake has been made.'' Mr. Edness said he could only suggest Mrs. Crane appeal to the Finance Ministry for an ex-gratia payment. He said he had in fact asked for details from her to make such a request but never received them.

He stressed Mrs. Crane though, had "not worked for Government''.

"I feel very sorry for the woman but I don't know what can be done,'' he said. "The people responsible for her employment were the members of the parish vestry.'' Parish rest homes were run by the vestries with user fees, donations and a grant from Government.

Asked if Government made any effort to oversee the use of its grant, he said: "Obviously I am concerned about what's going on down there and I am planning a visit. I was invited down by members and a date has been set. But I am not going to interfere with the administration. But I am prepared to discuss it with them if they want.'' Mr. Edness agreed there were "certain laws in Bermuda about hospital insurance and pension provisions to staff if they are employed beyond X number of hours''.

He added if Mrs. Crane needed immediate help there were social assistance provisions available through his Ministry.

Mrs. Crane retired from the home after almost 50 years to find she had no Government pension.

"Not a red cent,'' said longtime family friend Mr. Cyril Dowling, who has tried for the past two years to get a cash settlement for her.

Members of the St. George's Parish Vestry, which manages the home with Government funds, say her job, despite the wage being paid by Government, was in fact "non-pensionable''.

Furthermore, she refused to pay into a contributory pension fund they had offered her, Vestry head Mr. Pat Washington said.

But an angry Mr. Dowling blamed the Vestry for not looking out for Mrs. Crane and Government for not keeping a closer watch on the management of its old-age homes.

He also flatly rejected Mr. Washington's claims that she had turned down their offer of paying into a pension fund. "I mentioned that claim to her twice and she said under no circumstances did they even bring up anything about a pension fund,'' he said. "She said they never approached her.'' Mrs. Crane, who has been forced at the age of 80 to go out and find another job, confirmed this to The Royal Gazette .

She currently looks after her landlord's elderly mother in exchange for free rent and a small wage.

The Hon. Quinton Edness