Government is ignoring its own backbenchers, Opposition Whip Cole Simons claimed yesterday.

And he said: "If you're not in the Cabinet, there appears to be no real forum for backbenchers, other than in the House or the media.'' Mr. Simons said that PLP MP and former Police Assistant Commissioner Wayne Perinchief had objected to plans to hire overseas Police officers from Jamaica -- but had apparently not been consulted before the decision was made.

But Mr. Perinchief yesterday said he was now happy with the recruitment which will have a mix of officers from a variety of countries, rather than them coming from one place.

Last month Mr. Perinchief said the armed Jamaican force, already under fire for alleged violence and corruption, could be too aggressive -- and that inter-Caribbean island rivalry could lead to clashes with officers from these areas already serving in Bermuda.

Mr. Simons said: "With Wayne Perinchief on the Government team, one would have thought his expertise and experience would have been invaluable and utilised, but no.

"He publicly went against the Minister of Home Affairs and Public Safety's decision to bring in Policemen from Jamaica. It appears that his team members will not listen to him.'' And Mr. Simons questioned whether -- if the PLP ignored its own backbenchers -- it would listen to anyone, including "the average man in the street and the business community''.

Mr. Simons said: "It must be frustrating to be a sitting member of the Government and not feel valued by the Government which you represent.'' But last night Mr. Perinchief said he was pleased with the new recruitment announced by Home Affairs Minister Paula Cox on Friday.

Mr. Perinchief said: "I'm happy with going to different places and recruiting in stages, and it appears to be a diverse group.

"My concerns when this was first announced was that they would all be from one place and there might be a culture clash,'' he continued. "As it stands now they won't come from one place, or just from a large country.'' Mr. Perinchief added he was surprised at the reaction some people had to his comments questioning hiring officers from Jamaica.

He said Bermuda rarely hired officers from "metropolitan'' areas, tending to prefer trained men from smaller communities.

"We tended to go to the smaller forces for recruits,'' he said. "This is good because we won't be getting 45 at one time. It's going to be staggered.

We'll get a mixture of people. I'm glad.'' Ms Cox said up to 20 Jamaican and other West Indian officers are to be offered possible selection for a three year contract here.