A story in yesterday's paper incorrectly identified MP Mr. Nelson Bascome as Shadow Environment Minister. Mr. Bascome is Shadow Health Minister.

Government is guilty of mismanagement over Pembroke Marsh Dump according to Shadow Environment Minister Mr. Nelson Bascome.

And Mr. Bascome is demanding air quality tests over the smell that has been associated with the dump all summer.

He claims that local residents are fuming over the stench and the associated health risks. His views are backed by local folk.

Government has blamed a rubble shortage on the worsening smell but said that clay rubble had now been trucked in to help to cover the garbage.

But Mr. Bascome said that the rubble will not solve the problem of raw garbage being dumped.

He said: "Not all the garbage is pulverised so when it is covered it does not turn into compost properly. It remains there.'' Mr. Bascome said that trash trucks dumped the raw garbage after staff at the dump had left for the day thus leaving it uncovered.

It was then covered in rubble even though it had not been treated as promised by the Ministry of Works and Engineering, he claimed.

But Mr. Bascome stressed that the problem should have been addressed by now.

He said there should have been no problem during the summer because the Government had details of the Harvard Report into garbage disposal in the Island last year.

He said: "This is proof of Government mismanagement. It is something they should have addressed earlier. They have had the information but have not calculated for anything like this.'' Now that summer has come residents living around the area have been plagued by swarms of flies.

Mr. Bascome said: "The fly population has increased tenfold over the summer.

People cannot invite guests to their barbecues because they know the main guests will be the flies who will take over.'' Another problem has been the increase in the numbers of birds feasting on the trash. "The birds pick up bits of raw garbage and then fly over to people's homes. They drop things all over the area.

"People have complained about finding different things in their gardens.

Surely this is a health hazard as well.'' The smell is noticeable all over Pembroke but it worsens depending on which way the wind is blowing, according to Mr. Bascome, who added: "I realise it is rather selfish but I often wish that the wind was blowing the other way so we do not have to put up with the smell for a while. It is that bad.'' The Shadow Environment Minister is calling on Government to do air quality tests in the area. "We need an air quality survey around here. We need the standards to be tested.

"The Government has introduced this legislation but they are paying lip service towards dealing with Pembroke Dump.

"While we are waiting for the incinerator, people's health could be suffering here.'' A Works and Engineering spokesman was unavailable to comment. Former solid waste manager Mr. Dan Hoornweg has left the Island and is now working in Washington.