Order, Shadow Health and Social Services Minister Mr. Nelson Bascome has charged.

Mr. Dyer's wife Nadine is coordinator of education and programmes in the Prison system, Mr. Bascome said outside the House of Assembly.

He said that relationship violates General Order 1205, which reads: "Where it is considered by the Secretary of the Cabinet that the appointment of a close relative of an officer is likely to conflict, or may seem to conflict, with the performance of other officers' duties in the same Ministry or Department, an appropriate recommendation shall be made to the appointment authority.

"The provision made under this Order shall equally apply in the event of two serving officers becoming married to each other.'' Without mentioning Mr. Dyer's name, Mr. Bascome asked Health and Social Services Minister the Hon. Quinton Edness on Friday whether he contemplated "taking any action to correct'' the situation.

In response, Mr. Edness said there were many close relatives in the Prison Service, including three married couples and a number of fathers and sons, brothers and sisters, and some first cousins.

"However, there is no evidence that there has been, or is, any conflict as envisaged by General Order No. 1205,'' Mr. Edness said.

Mr. Bascome then asked specifically about the Prison hierarchy.

Mr. Edness said he would gladly take action if there was a problem, but there was no problem. He knew what Mr. Bascome was talking about. The woman in question did not report directly to Mr. Dyer, and she was "a very productive and competent individual,'' he said.

Outside the House, Mr. Bascome said he had nothing against Mr. Dyer, but the concern was raised with him and he felt the General Orders should be observed.

Mrs. Dyer already worked in the Prison system when the couple married about two years ago, he said.

Mr. Edness also dismissed Mr. Bascome's suggestions about morale problems and staff cuts adversely affecting Prison security.

"Minor staffing reductions'' were due to a decrease in the prison population from 260 to 230 in January of 1992, he said. Preparing for the move to the new prison meant some officers worked longer hours or took on new duties.

Outside the House, Mr. Bascome released copies of letters to Mr. Dyer from the Prison Officers' Association outlining a litany of concerns, from shift sytems to staff postings.