as a body that protects the interests of Front Street. Small merchants had been told they could no longer set up displays at an annual Christmas Expo at Number One Shed on Front Street, Ms Renee Webb (PLP) said.

"The Front Street merchants had a problem that this exposition was taking place, because they felt it was competing directly with their businesses,'' she said.

"It would appear the Corporation of Hamilton has decided not to allow the continuation of this exposition.'' Small and north Hamilton businesses that were struggling to make ends meet "have been shunned by the Corporation, who is obviously looking out for the interests of Front Street'', Ms Webb said.

The City had written a letter forbidding sub-letting of Number One Shed without prior approval of the Corporation, she said.

The Corporation reserved the right to charge additional rents for sublets, and no subletting was to interfere with daytime parking on the lower level, she said. And there was an absolute prohibition of retail sales, with exceptions to be negotiated with the Corporation.

Such policies demonstrated "why it is difficult for smaller businesses in Bermuda to thrive'', she said. "We in Bermuda take joy in stifling competition.'' Recent recommendations on telecommunications licences were another example, she said.

The young Bermudian who started Global Access Bermuda had been doing well, she said. Once he had to apply for a licence, "ten others came out of the woodwork,'' and GAB was not among those recommended to receive a licence.

Dr. Ewart Brown (PLP) castigated Mr. Geoff Parker of the National Liberal Party for his recent criticism of Government's White Paper on Racism, which Mr. Parker said could lead to "reverse apartheid.'' Dr. Brown said Mr. Parker should know that "not only black people support the paper, but there are some white people who think that racism should be made a crime in Bermuda.'' The views Mr. Parker expressed were "very dangerous'', and were "in fact promoting violence in this society,'' Dr. Brown said.

Mr. Parker had said he expected the views espoused in the White Paper from the PLP "because they lust for racial dominance'', but now there was little difference between the PLP and the UBP.

The two parties had found something "they consider to be the truth'', and for the NLP to be unable to see it "means that that party is in fact a dinosaur of politics''.

Shadow Labour and Home Affairs Minister Mr. Alex Scott said he was pleased when a Bermudian was finally named to the top post at Management Services.

But regretfully, a contract worker had just been given an acting appointment as senior management services officer. Longstanding and qualified Bermudians were available, Mr. Scott said.

"This is counterproductive. This is the glass ceiling.'' Claiming that there were matters of "grave concern'' facing Government, Mr.

Leon (Jimmy) Williams (PLP) said MPs were "not (doing) enough work in the interest of the people''.

"The time spent in the House and the time spent out of the House should suggest to members that there are issues of great importance that are not being addressed,'' he said, referring to the increase in crime against visitors.

"These attacks should be of grave concern to each and every one of us because this (tourism) is our breadline,'' he said.

Speaking on another matter, Mr. Williams said he and the young people of St.

George's were "very disturbed by the backsliding of the UBP Government'' with regard to a town park.

The park, which adjoins St. George's Golf Club and has become popular with local teenagers in the past few years, has been a contentious issue ever since Government promised to redesign the area to keep the park out of the line of fire of golf balls from the club's first and second tees.

Yesterday, Mr. Williams said: "If that park is disturbed, you will hear from the people of St. George's. We have fought for that park.'' Education Minister the Hon. Clarence Terceira , who was Minister of Works when the issue first arose, replied that the Ministry would hold discussions "to see what progress can be made'' on a "safety scheme worked out in conjunction with young people.'' Premier the Hon. Sir John Swan said he was becoming "increasingly concerned'' about recent handbag snatchings and security of visitors.

"People who carry out this kind of activity not only deprive people of having a good vacation, but because of the way these handbags are snatched, they run the risk of hurting someone by pulling them off their bikes.

"It will not take very much publicity overseas for this to have an adverse impact on our tourist industry,'' the Premier said.

But Bermudians could not just rely on the Police. "We must be part of the watchdog process.'' Otherwise, "it will come back to haunt us''.

Mr. Williams had complained about the lack of legislation before the House, but that would not solve the problem, Sir John said.

Stiffer penalties were introduced but did not reduce crime.

A compassionate and understanding society was needed, and Government had brought forward discussion papers to allow input. Efforts were under way to make Government more accessible.

Once people felt good about themselves and their society, "the crime rate will start to diminish.'' "The whole object of this exercise is not so much to bring legislation to Parliament as much as to make sure that our society works.''