allegations of physical abuse at Bermuda day nurseries.

In the House of Assembly on Friday, Independent MP Mr. Stuart Hayward said he knows of nursery schools where physical abuse occurs, and "where the Health Department does not feel they can intervene.'' Mr. Hayward said he reported his knowledge of abuse to both the Minister and the former Permanent Secretary of Health and Social Services.

But yesterday, Health and Social Services Minister the Hon. Quinton Edness said he spent the weekend investigating Mr. Hayward's allegations, and "so far, none of them have been confirmed.'' Mr. Edness said that because Mr. Hayward had reported no abuse to him, he checked with the former Health Minister, the Hon. Ann Cartwright DeCouto.

Mrs. Cartwright DeCouto, who held the Health portfolio until 1988, "states emphatically that Mr. Hayward made no such report to her,'' Mr. Edness said.

Mr. Edness said he also checked with the two previous Permanent Secretaries, Mr. Edward Dyer and Mr. David Critchley, "both of whom have no recollection of Mr. Hayward having reported any incidents of abuse in nurseries to them.'' Mr. Edness said his Ministry takes such allegations seriously, and "Mr.

Hayward got it wrong'' when he said the Health Department did not feel it could intervene in such cases.

"I would ask Mr. Hayward, if he has knowledge of such abuse occurring in any nursery in the past or presently to please provide me or the Permanent Secretary and/or the Chief Medical Officer with the necessary information so that it can be validated and something done about it.

"I hope Mr. Hayward's remarks can be substantiated,'' Mr. Edness said.

"Because if they cannot, then Mr. Hayward has unnecessarily despoiled the reputation of hundreds of caregivers throughout Bermuda.'' Mr. Hayward said he knew of physical and emotional abuse which included slapping, paddling, shaking, shoving, screaming, and name calling. He said he had no direct knowledge of sexual abuse, but would not be surprised if it was occurring as well.

Mr. Hayward said the tales of abuse did not relate to Nambour Day Nursery, which The Royal Gazette recently reported was the subject of investigations by Police and the Health Ministry.

Told of the statement by Mr. Edness, Mr. Hayward said yesterday that it was Mr. Critchley who he spoke to about the abuse. "I didn't call Mr. Critchley and say: `Listen, this has been happening. What can you do about it?' "It was in the context of regulating the smaller nursery schools,'' he said.

Mr. Hayward said it was made clear to him that in the case of small nurseries "the Ministry could not intervene,'' and "there were assurances that the whole thing was going to be revised.'' Mr. Edness said Mr. Critchley told him from Canada: "I know if I had received such a report, I would have acted on it right away and would surely remember it.'' Mr. Hayward later said he too phoned Mr. Critchley in Canada, and said: "I'm prepared to accept that he doesn't remember.'' But, "it's very clear in my memory.''