to cockroaches, flies and awful smells as a result of Government's composting programme next to Victor Scott School.

This was the claim yesterday of Pembroke East Central Opposition MPs Mr. David Allen and Mr. Stanley Morton, who again demanded Government do something about the problem.

The two MPs said the composting programme was "the latest in many decades of discomfort for residents of the area''.

Their comments were made following a Tuesday night meeting of the Victor Scott (Central) School PTA, which was attended by Government waste management officials.

"Parents and residents of the area expressed their dissatisfaction that once again this densely populated area of eastern Pembroke has had to shoulder the burden of waste management over other areas of Bermuda,'' the MPs said.

"Government must listen to Pembroke residents,'' the MPs said.

They said the PTA was "rightly incensed'' over Government's failure to consult with them before launching the composting programme next to their children's school.

Officials at the meeting told the residents they were not alone as composting was also taking place at the Sally Port Dump at Dockyard and that future composting might take place at the airport.

However, the two MPs pointed out, neither the Sally Port area nor the airport had "thousands of residents living directly next to their dumps''.

Dr. Terceira last night said the MPs talk about roaches, flies and awful smells being produced by composting at the old Bishop Spencer field was "utter nonsense''.

He said anyone with "any commonsense'' would know that the waste which consist of leaves, paper and cardboard boxes, will produce no smell nor flies.

"They're just doing this for political gain,'' Dr. Terceira said. "But they're hurting the people by alarming them for nothing.'' Dr. Terceira said Works and Engineering is also looking at composting at other sites because many tons of soil are needed to convert the Pembroke Dump into a park. He said presently Government does not have enough soil, therefore the need for composting.

He said this was explained to Victor Scott's principal when he called about the activity across from the school during initial stages.

"He seems to be satisfied,'' Dr. Terceira added. "There's no harm to the children.'' The two MPs also berated Dr. Terceira for not attending Tuesday's meeting himself, saying it had "added insult to injury''.

But Dr. Terceira said the meeting came at a short notice and he had a previous engagement.

However, he pointed out, Government's solid waste manager Mr. Dan Hoornweg and Works and Engineering director Mr. Stanley Oliver were present.