Government has yet to decide on whether an Island-wide curfew for minors will be imposed. See Editorial on Page 4 .

Public Safety Minister Quinton Edness yesterday told The Royal Gazette : "It is a thought that has to be considered. But when you impose a curfew on young people you really have to think of the consequences.

"It is something that I need to have time to discuss with my colleagues, particularly the Ministers of Education and Health and Social Services.'' He was commenting after Northlands Primary principal Dale Butler suggested a curfew as one measure in a collective community effort to save the Island's youth.

Mr. Butler, who is believed to be one of the Progressive Labour Party's candidates for Warwick East, said he would really like to see a national committee of various members of the community, including youth, form to come up with a plan for Bermuda's youth.

He was prompted to speak out after he saw several young people, including one of his former students -- a 14-year-old -- hanging out at Court Street last Friday night.

Mr. Butler is not the first public figure to call for a curfew to save the Island's youths from the streets.

Earlier this year, Mr. Edness and aspiring United Bermuda Party MP Raymond Whitecross advocated curfews.

And Mr. Whitecross -- who suggested that parents should impose a curfew of 9 p.m. on weekdays and 10 p.m. on weekends for young teens -- yesterday said he planned to ask Government to put forward a motion on the issue at the House of Assembly's next sitting, beginning in February.

"The problem is that children are having children and there is no direction,'' he added. "Younger parents are letting their children hang out at night the way they used to do. But they don't realise that times have changed and this is dangerous.

"Hopefully, I can have Government set up a programme for parents and their children so we can help eliminate this problem.'' While agreeing that a curfew should be considered, Mr. Edness said such a suggestion was easier said than done.

"We have not discussed this yet, so we do not have a position on it,'' he added.

"It is nice for politicians to put forward these suggestions, but it is very difficult to put it together.

"When you impose a curfew, it lays down a rule that children have to be in by a certain time.

"But what is going to be the legal incentive that prevents children from breaking that curfew? What is going to be the punishment? "If you don't have any, it makes nonsense of the law.'' Government first had to discuss the issue with parents and others who would be affected by such a law, he added.

However referring to Mr. Butler's suggestion of national committee to discuss the future of Bermuda's youth, Mr. Edness said discussion about Bermuda's youth was always "a good thing'', providing that it is conducted in a positive fashion.

"One has to remember that 90 to 95 percent of Bermuda's youth are doing well and abiding by the rules,'' he pointed out.

"Sometimes when we talk about youth problems, we're talking about five to ten percent.

"It's always good to talk about children. The Government and I have felt that we have moved toward a policy of putting children first.

"I would hope that any discussion that takes place is going to be a positive discussion and one that is going to enhance the welfare of all children.

"Government has no objection to a national discussion about young people as long as it is positive and does not further stigmatise our youth.'' EDUCATION ED