against racism.

It will have fun watching the UBP try to get backing from the "status quo''.

Shadow Human Affairs Minister Miss Renee Webb made the mocking remark yesterday in the House of Assembly.

She later said legislation was needed to bring about improvements.

In her maiden speech, Miss Webb subjected Government's commitment to piercing scrutiny.

"Can we look forward to an action plan?'' she asked, as MPs resumed the debate on the Throne Speech.

Miss Webb said Government's statements on race in the Blueprint -- its election manifesto -- and the Throne Speech were vague.

"Let's call a spade a spade.'' She feared Government's pledges would lead to nothing more than words, papers, reports, and interim steering committees.

Government had achieved fame through paying "lip service'' to fighting racism.

If it was serious, it would begin by turning the spotlight on itself, declared Miss Webb.

"Its record on dealing with discrimination and racism is disgraceful.'' But was Government capable of taking a real look at itself? "Over the years the PLP has been called racist. We are going to have real fun watching Government try to get the support of the status quo.'' Miss Webb voiced scepticism over plans to set up a Human Rights Commission race relations division.

Unless Government gave the division teeth, and a distinct identity, it was bound to fail.

She pointed to the failure of the Race Relations Council, describing it as "a waste of time''.

The planned race relations division faced a similar fate, unless it had "freshness of ideas and people''.

Miss Webb said racism was a legacy of slavery and colonialism.

It stemmed from a system in which one race had power to be superior to another.

Legislation was the only way to modify the system -- and protect the majority from the minority.

In this respect, Bermuda could be likened to South Africa.

Miss Webb said Government had to attack the employment and remuneration practices, and immigration policies, which propped up racism.

She added education was the key to combatting the problem.

Many people did not know what racial discrimination was.

Their racist behaviour had become so natural to them, they could not look at it objectively.

"Racial discrimination is a learned behaviour.'' Miss Webb called for seminars on racial awareness and "cultural diversity''.

"We need to encourage race relations workshops,'' she said.

But Miss Webb hit out against Government's tendency to turn to foreign experts to tell Bermudians what they already knew.

There had been no need for reports stating there was institutionalised racism in Bermuda.

The Progressive Labour Party had underlined such racism for years.

Miss Webb praised the work of Dr. Eva Hodgson, saying she had helped bring the problem of racism to the fore.

If racism was to be tackled, then Government should carefully monitor attempts to combat it, Miss Webb added.

She went on to bemoan the lack of black psychiatrists at St. Brendan's Hospital, saying it did not reflect the racial make-up of patients -- or Bermuda.

And she attacked the decision not to renew the contract of the only black psychiatrist there.

"We should have at least three black psychiatrists.'' Miss Webb then turned the spotlight on drugs.

The Opposition was still waiting to hear from Government on the proposed National Drugs Commission.

She added the focus should be on addressing the underlying causes of the drug problem.

Why were so many young black men feeling alienated from society? Why were so many just hanging around, sitting on walls? On the St. David's pilot anti-drug prevention programme, Government needed to provide more information, said Miss Webb.

"We really need to know what is happening.'' And on the plans to beef up parish councils more information was also required.

"What powers will be given to parish councils?'' Transport Minister the Hon. Maxwell Burgess began by blasting the way the Opposition handled the race issue.

The PLP should remember the electorate on October 5 had judged the UBP on its track record -- and given it a fresh mandate, said Mr. Burgess.

Mr. Burgess said the PLP did a disservice by casting aspersions on blacks who joined the UBP.

And it was wrong to keep harping back on history. The focus should be on the future.

Turning to transport, Mr. Burgess set out to destroy myths about the proposed Airport Authority.

"Government's intention is to set up an airport authority in which 100 percent of the shares belong to Government and by extension to Bermudians.

"The intention is to set up a limited corporation.'' Mr. Burgess went on to outline Government's plans and pledges to make transport more "user friendly''.

It would issue licences for drivers of motorcycles, cars and light trucks for 10 year-periods instead of five years; Public service drivers' licences would be issued for three years, instead of one year; Taxis would need to be examined twice a year, not three times; The taxi industry would be enhanced by Government working closely with the new Taxi Industry Committee; Transport for seniors and the handicapped would be improved; and Extra international business would be provided by creating a Registry of Mortgages for Aircraft and boosting the tonnage on the Bermuda Shipping Registry.

Mr. Burgess said he recognised the importance of an integrated transport system.

Shadow Transport Minister Mr. Dennis Lister said he backed most of the initiatives.

But he found fault with two areas.

There was a discrepancy in the Blueprint and the Throne Speech, said Mr.

Lister.

The Blueprint contained a promise to help those who were "physically challenged''.

But the Throne Speech contained no clues as to how they would be aided.

Mr. Lister continued by restating the PLP's opposition to the Airport Authority.

What was needed was a programme to train Bermudians to take over the running of the Airport.

Now was not the time to give the Airport away to a private concern.

Mr. Lister said the Premier the Hon. Sir John Swan had made the Base an election issue.

With the prospect of the US personnel withdrawing it was important for Bermudians to be trained to take on the role of running the Airport.

The Throne Speech should have contained a commitment to train.

Mr. Lister went on to pour scorn on Mr. Burgess' pledge to make transport more "user friendly''.

He told how Somerset-Hamilton ferry users suffered at the hands of Government officials about 10 days ago.

After returning to Somerset at the end of the day, the ferry passengers found parking restrictions had been enforced where they had left their cars.

One man was ticketed after yellow lines had been painted around his car, said Mr. Lister.

He hoped this was not an example of Government's "user friendliness''.

Tourism Minister the Hon. C.V. (Jim) Woolridge opened by poking fun at the Opposition's new Shadow Cabinet posts.

The public must be confused by such posts as Special Assistant to Opposition Leader with Responsibility for Non-Ministries, Special Assistant to Opposition Leader with Responsibility for Management and Technology, and House Leader for the Opposition.

But Mr. Woolridge expressed most amazement at the PLP's role -- or lack of it -- for Bermuda Industrial Union leader Mr. Ottiwell Simmons.

"He gets nothing. Poor Otti gets nothing.'' Mr. Woolridge went on to ridicule what a PLP Government would have done to boost tourism.

The Opposition had talked of securing a St. George's-only cruise ship.

"We have already done that,'' exclaimed Mr. Woolridge.

Government had also brought about a revival in tourist arrival figures, with some 580,000 flocking here so far this year.

The recovery had been achieved without heeding the Opposition's call for Bermuda to go down market.

Mr. Woolridge said Bermuda already enjoyed bumper service from airlines.

And it was in the line to benefit from three more flights next year.

British Airways had promised additional airlift, and two other companies had expressed interest in serving the Island.

"I am hopeful it won't be an additional financial burden to the taxpayer of this country.'' Mr. Woolridge doubted whether charter services were the way ahead.

The experience of the Bahamas had proved this could put off other carriers.

Mr. Woolridge turned to the controversy over the St. George's cruise terminal.

The plans were attacked this week by St. George's Mayor the Wor. Henry Hayward, who said money could be better spent elsewhere.

But Mr. Woolridge said: "At no time did the Mayor discuss the terminal with us.'' Mr. Woolridge pointed out the costs of the project.

The terminal would cost $300,000, the dock $450,000, and landscaping $150,000.

"This is going to be a quality operation.'' Mr. Woolridge went on to stress Government's commitment to boosting the convention business.

He said next year an insurance convention would occupy 600 hotel rooms for six weeks over two years.

Mr. Woolridge also tore into Shadow Tourism Minister Mr. David Allen for his stance on the Ritz Carlton.

He described Mr. Allen as a "loose cannon''.

Resuming after lunch, Mr. Woolridge said efforts would continue to land a new major hotel for Bermuda, because "every good resort should have a new flagship every so often,'' and Bermuda had not had a new hotel since the Southampton Princess opened in 1972. There were plans to replace the old Bermudiana with a new hotel with about 300 rooms plus offices and other facilities, he said. But it was false to say that the Tourism Minister had approved the new hotel. Mr. Woolridge had given approval in principle, but the plans had to meet many other criteria and could be turned down by the Development Applications Board. Turning to the vacant Club Med in St.

George's, Mr. Woolridge said that two weeks ago he had "very interesting talks with some people abroad.'' Those interested had been on the Island recently and were "looking very favourably'' at Club Med.

Nobody knew how to treat visitors better than Bermudians, and it was important to get more local people involved in the industry, he said. Hospitality had to be included in the secondary school curriculum.

It was unacceptable that out of a class of 28 students studying hospitality at Bermuda College last year, a small minority were Bermudian. It was important for Bermudians to mix with outsiders, but "a majority of foreign people taking advantage of something the taxpayer built, that is wrong.'' "This is the one Ministry in this Government that needs to have the sympathy, understanding, and support of all Bermudians,'' Mr. Woolridge said. While MPs might understand the importance of tourism, "the great unwashed out there must be told -- they must be reminded.'' The Tourism Department was spending an extra $500,000 to boost tourism from Europe, but that market could not be expected to exceed existing ones, he said. It cost about $20 to attract one North American tourist, but about $50 to attract one European one.

Despite the controversy surrounding the dedicated St. George's cruise ship, the Royal Majesty was "going to be a winner,'' Mr. Woolridge said.

"The cruise ship alone will not be the answer to St. George's,'' he said.

"We need to do a lot more work in St. George's, and St. George's people themselves need to concentrate.'' Mr. Woolridge said Bermuda's "secondary industry, international business,'' was "an offshoot'' of tourism, because "without tourism there would be no flights here for international business.'' Bermuda had 13 daily flights out of ten gateway cities, and there were hopes for three more from North America next year, as well as improved British Airway service and a possible European carrier.

"Our major industry is in good hands,'' Mr. Woolridge said. "We have longterm plans for the future.'' Shadow Tourism Minister Mr. David Allen said Mr. Woolridge suffered from "tunnel vision,'' and "a tremendous inability to really look at the big picture.'' Noting that Mr. Woolridge was leaving the chamber, he said it was because "he doesn't like to hear the truth.'' Due to the slim majority the UBP won in the election, "the honourable Premier, probably with much misgivings has been saddled again with having the honourable member from Smith's South as Tourism Minister,'' Mr. Allen said.

"Not only the Premier is held hostage in this way, but also the country and also the country's tourism industry,'' which "can't take four more years of stagnation.'' While Mr. Woolridge said Bermuda was "about to equal one of our record years'' in visitor arrival numbers, larger capacity cruise ships accounted for most of the increase, and it was hotel visitors who spent the most.

If hotel visitors were looked at Bermuda was still down 16 percent from 1980, he said. And the average length of stay had declined since then, while College Week had virtually disappeared. College students should be targeted through campus media.

"They can't afford it,'' shouted Mr. Woolridge , who had returned to the chamber. "You're talking nonsense.'' "Rip Van Woolridge has been asleep at the wheel, and it's sad for the country,'' Mr. Allen said.

Bermuda needed to spend more on promotion and better target it at special interest groups like scuba divers, golf and tennis players, ecologists, and cultural tourists, he said.

It was "nonsense'' to say Bermuda would have to pay for any unfilled seat if a weekly charter from Europe was arranged, Mr. Allen said. Before a regular carrier would fly out of Europe to Bermuda, the Island had to spend seed money there to prove a market existed.

The $500,000 being spent in Europe was "a drop in the bucket and is not going to be enough.'' While the PLP supported the 68 degree temperature guarantee to promote the off-season, "unfortunately it was an isolated instance,'' Mr. Allen said.

He referred to newly-elected Southampton West MP and hotelier Mr. David Dodwell as the Tourism "Minister in waiting.'' House debate will be continued in Monday's newspaper.