disintegrating family values could threaten Bermuda's prosperity.

And she said the collapse of the nuclear family was breeding a generation unequipped to take part in the economic challenges of the future and prone to violence -- which was also damaging Bermuda's image.

Sen. Milligan-Whyte said: "It stems from deterioration in the family unit -- it comes from children having children.

"It comes from single parent homes where the parent is working one or two jobs to try and feed and clothe the children and the children are raising themselves.'' Sen. Milligan-Whyte was speaking as the Upper House debated the Throne Speech, delivered to both Houses of Parliament two weeks ago.

She told Senators Bermuda had achieved a great deal with limited natural resources -- but warned the prosperity of an Island which depended on international business and tourism was vulnerable.

She said safety was important because "people will not travel to countries where it's not safe''.

She added: "Bermuda has always prided itself on being a safe haven.'' But she said "a small percentage'' of young people were causing trouble, for which families had to bear some responsibility.

Sen. Milligan-Whyte added that the business community and Government had a role to play by providing, respectively, skilled jobs for Bermudians and protecting the family unit with laws against domestic violence and the abuse of children.

But she insisted education -- particularly in the fast-moving world of computers -- was vital to the future of Bermuda, lessening the risk of angry, alienated youth sowing problems for the future.

She noted Social Assistance was one of the largest elements of Government's budget, which could be related to "people having children without the requisite skills to take them into the community in which we live''.

"We need to return to the family values we all grew up with and which, as a result, built the economy we all enjoy today.'' But she said a rising tide of violence threatened the vision of a prosperous Bermuda.

"We all know this threatens the fabric of our society. On the one hand, we strengthen our Police service and our laws. On the other hand we have to come to terms with what is causing the violence.'' She added: "We have to be tough on crime and at the same time looking at eradicating the causes of crime.'' Sen. Milligan-Whyte said that tougher penalties for drugs crimes were not enough on their own and that stronger rehabilitation programmes were needed.

She said: "There will be a review of the prison service in order to ensure the levels of repeat offenders does not continue to rise.

"We want a safe and secure community, to prepare Bermudians for the next millenium and to promote family values and to use the progress Bermuda has made to date as a springboard to achieve even more in terms of economic well-being.'' And she urged companies which had the resources available to "take advantage of the pool of talent which comes with the expatriate community and use them to train Bermudians''.

But Opposition Senate Leader Milton Scott slammed the ruling UBP for "too many unfulfilled promises''.

He insisted the PLP had the "steady and experienced hands'' to lead Bermuda into the next century.

And he claimed the new $40 million prison was given priority over the education system in the past and that the UBP were still not committed to education and rehabilitation over punishment.

Sen. Walwyn Hughes (Ind) said he thought no one would argue with the underlying tenets of the Throne Speech which laid out Government's plan to take Bermuda into the 21st Century.

He said Bermudians were concerned about crime, education, drugs and the economy and wanted to know how well the words contained in the Throne Speech would be translated into action.

Even though crime statistics showed that generally crime is decreasing, Sen Hughes said "child on child'' crime was especially worrisome.

"It's hard to understand what motivates a 14- or 15-year-old to rob and attack each other,'' he said.

"I hope the increased Police presence helps but ultimately it's up to the parents and the family to exert a broader influence.'' Sen. Hughes said that it was good to see that poor road behaviour was mentioned in the Throne Speech and he said a Green Paper would be a good place to start to tackle the problem.

Other priority issues, he said, were education and the Base lands which represented a windfall for the Island.

On one hand, he said, the newly acquired land represented potential jobs but it also presented a challenge to replace the $50-$60 million lost with the departure of the foreign forces.

Sen. Yvette Swan (UBP) said it would appear, according to the Opposition, that Government had done nothing right in the 32 years that it was at the helm.

But she pointed out that Government had served the Island well although the problem of violence continued to present difficulties.

Government, through its "no go zones'', had demonstrated its willingness to stamp out drug dealing in areas where young people congregated.

She said it was wrong for Sen. Scott to suggest that Government had done nothing to address the drug problem.

Starting in 1980, she said, Addiction Services had opened and this was followed by both Montrose and a programme up at the Westgate prison.

She said young people were treated by Addiction Services as well as being sent overseas.

Turning to long term residents Sen Swan said they had given much to the community and a Green Paper would be brought forward to address these issues.

And she said the National Pension Plan was very much on the front burner because it was important for workers who left their jobs to be able to take their accrued benefits with them.

She also spoke of one local company that placed a limit on the pensions of its workers when they reached retirement age instead of allowing them to take the sum based on what they had paid into the fund.

As a result, she said it was important for the National Pension Plan to be brought forward.

Senate vice president Alf Oughton (Ind) said this year's Throne Speech was of a better quality than previously and he said he hoped it was followed by action plans and progress reports.

And he said it was about time Parliamentarians jettisoned the idea that some of their number "were soft on crime''.

He said it did not help the Island to come to grips with the problem.

Sen. Oughton said it was unfortunate that the issue of race was not addressed in the Throne Speech and said it would have been better if some mention of the progress being made on that front was communicated.

Given the decline in Tourism, Sen. Oughton suggested that it was time for the Ministry to invest in its staff.

"Are we doing enough with our Tourism staff in regards to marketing and product development? If these programmes exist, this would be money well spent.'' And in addition to the current system of apprenticeships that existed for young people, Sen. Oughton suggested that a management trainee programme in the hotels would be good for college graduates and a way to get young Bermudians interested in the industry.

Sen. Oughton said the Finance Minister should also look into cutting customs duties on items sold to tourists so that they can be enticed to spend more money.

Sen. Lawrence Scott (UBP) speaking on a wide range of issues including crime, corporal punishment, the base lands and taxis.

On crime Sen. Scott praised Police Commissioner Colin Coxall for implementing a strategy to restructure the Police Service and bring down crime.

"We have seen a marked reduction in crime,'' said Sen. Scott, who added that Mr. Coxall had done his job despite repeated criticism.

Sen. Scott also praised other areas, including the trustees of the National Sports Centre who, he said, were doing an excellent job.

This week Transport Minister, Wayne Furbert, is due to table a report on the taxi industry, which is threatening strike action over fare increases.

Sen. Scott proposed deregulating the industry and letting taxi drivers set their own prices.

"We know that some people have threatened strikes, but a lot of people are sick of threats. You cannot afford strikes any longer.

"Let the taxi drivers dictate what price they want to charge and when they charge themselves out of the market, they will bring themselves back to reasonableness and will service this community in a far more efficient manner.'' On the Base lands, Sen. Scott concentrated his debate on Daniel's Head, saying it was important to develop the area to help Somerset businesses.

He said a public recreation area at Daniel's Head would take the young people away from Somerset, and among other things, take potential players away from the Somerset Cricket Club.

According to Sen. Scott there is a large percentage of parents who want corporal punishment reinstated.

"The community is saying that the loving administration of corporal punishment must be brought back. I think we must give it consideration.'' Sen. Terry Lister (PLP) interupted saying: "I feel very uncomfortable with what I hear. It is a very sad day.'' But Sen. Scott stood by his words and said: "I do not retreat from this position.'' Sen. Neletha Butterfield (PLP) said that the UBP's Senate Leader Lynda Milligan-Whyte thought it was the best Throne Speech she had seen in ten years of politics.

"She said `we cannot wait any longer', but that tells me Government has been on hold with the promises it has made in the past,'' said Sen. Butterfield.

She carried on to speak about family values, training, pension plans and career opportunities.

Sen. Butterfield demanded to know what was happening to the National Training Board and said Government must be serious about building the skills of Bermudians.

On prisons, she said the recidivism rate was still too high and asked why 64 prisoners had appeared before the Treatment of Offenders Board last year compared with just six the year before.

"Government has a soft approach to rehabilitation and after-care. There has to be a safety net. If there is no after-care, the only care people will get is going right back to prison.'' The debate was adjourned until the next sitting of the Senate, next Wednesday.

YOUTH VIOLENCE -- Sen. Walwyn Hughes UNKEPT PROMISES -- Sen. Milton Scott FAMILY -- Sen. Lynda Milligan- Whyte