Shadow Tourism Minister David Allen claimed on Friday.

The campaign had failed to bring visitors flocking to the Island's shores, he said.

"We are still 100,000 regular visitors behind where we were 15 years ago.'' Mr. Allen was speaking during the motion to adjourn shortly before the House of Assembly broke up for its Christmas break.

He said Government had tried to present a small rise in arrivals this year as a symbol of success for its tourism policies.

But Government failed to tell Bermudians the main reason for the increase was down to cruise ship visitors.

The number of air arrivals was only marginally up -- and visitors who did come here were staying a shorter time, he said.

Also during Friday night's motion to adjourn, Shadow Environment Minister Leon (Jimmy) Williams protested about an "illegal'' sign near the Airport.

He said the sign -- about eight feet by six feet -- printed the names of Airport contractors and infringed advertising laws.

"It's the type of sign you see in New York City,'' he said.

He added: "What example is Government setting when it breaks the law?'' Premier David Saul said he would look at the sign, although he suggested Mr.

Williams probably meant it was "unsightly'' rather than illegal.

Shadow Sport Minister Nelson Bascome voiced concern at reports that the International Senior Games would not be held in Bermuda in 1998 after an apparently stormy relationship between games officials and the Department of Tourism.

And Government backbencher Ann Cartwright DeCouto , meanwhile, criticised some MPs' use of cellular telephones in the House of Assembly.

She said she had heard them ring while the House was in session.

Walter Lister (PLP) suggested the House should move with the times and cellular phones reflected advances in technology.

MPs also used the motion to adjourn to wish each other a happy Christmas and to raise a host of constituency matters, including garbage dumping in Vesey Street, Devonshire, and the need for repairs to Somerset Bridge.

The amount of "parish pumping'' brought criticism from Dr. Saul . He said the Opposition was using the motion to adjourn as an "Ann Landers'' column.

Constituency problems should be raised by MPs with the appropriate Ministries.

Only if no action was taken should MPs raise their concerns in the House, he suggested.

David Allen