introduction yesterday of the Civil Airports Amendment Act which set out to create two new Government departments and allow Airport contracts under $1 million to be carried out without Parliamentary approval.

Mr. Burgess said the Bill was required as part of overall planning initiatives for next year's takeover of the US Navy base, which currently runs the Civil Air Terminal.

Starting off an Opposition attack on the bill which resulted in both sides stooping to name calling, Mr. Dennis Lister (PLP) demanded to know why, as he read the bill to imply, were all base lands decisions becoming the Transport Ministry's responsibility? "If someone wants to develop a recreational area or use the hospital facility why should it be the Minister of Transport's responsibility?,'' he said. A national transport policy was needed, he said.

He also had question over whether management and permanent secretary staff had been found for the new departments.

The area he was most disturbed about though, was that airport jobs under $1 million would no longer need Parliamentary approval.

He feared the money could be wasted or inappropriately used. Mr. Burgess' was putting his Government seat on the line by accepting the responsibility, he warned.

His concerns prompted a warning from the Speaker of the House the Hon. Ernest DeCouto to avoid accusing Members of improper motives.

Community Affairs Minister Mr. Wayne Furbert pointed out that all fiscal matters eventually be brought to the House by the Finance Minister. The PLP would have its chance to debate any appropriations then, he said.

"Why should (Mr. Burgess) have to run to this House to find out if someone can put a window in somewhere?,'' he asked.

Hitting out at Mr. Lister's accusations of Government wastefulness, he said, "If the Opposition were to win the next election I'd be asking for (any (job) over $1,000 to come before this House for approval!'' Mr. David Allen said giving the Ministry full control over jobs worth hundreds of thousands of dollars "really makes my blood run cold''.

"This is a way station on the way to the implementation of an Airport Quango,'' he said of the bill. "One of its purposes is to allow a much freer hand in awarding contracts up to $1 million. Up until now even smaller contracts had to be brought before this House.'' He urged to public to "follow the ball very closely because a lot of things could be lost in the shuffle''.

Referring to the several-million-dollar overrun of the Airport lounges and arrivals hall reconstruction project, he said, "The Honourable Member (Social Services Minister) Quinton Edness is the $27-million-dollar man because that's what he wasted.'' As for Mr. Burgess, "That Minister has been known as the Minister of Bungling ever since the commonwealth games fiasco.'' And he did not have much confidence in Finance Minister the Hon. David Saul.

He expressed his concern that a $1-million contract for security fencing at the Airport might not come before the House.

And he slammed the fact Government had decided not to have a helicopter.

He said he was also concerned Government was not being assertive enough on the issue of the base's Longbird House, which may have to be demolished for Airport safety reasons. The residence could be turned into an East End museum, he suggested.

However, now it seemed the demolition contract would not come before the house.

There were many more important national issues concerning the Airport takeover, he said.

For example, he had just heard that American Airlines had cancelled service to the popular local shopping hub Raleigh-Durham.

He had been warning the service was in danger for some time and now Government "has been caught with its collective pants down, again''.

The Hon. Harry Soares (UBP) used Hurricane Emily as an example for the need for the Transport Ministry to have control over small to medium airport jobs.

What if a similar strength hurricane hit in September while the House was out and caused considerable damage to the Airport?, he asked. Would the Ministry first have to get someone to do the repairs, go to Cabinet and then reconvene Parliament and hope the contract was approved.

"What I can see is signs saying `airport closed until further notice -- might be open by Christmas,'' he said.

Speaking on the Opposition's apparent concern of fiscal responsibility, Dr.

Saul said that over the last six years supplementary appropriations were on average one half to one percent of the total budget.

Furthermore, major Airport projects, i.e. those over $1 million, would still come before the House and the PLP would have the opportunity to debate them.

As for a rescue helicopter, Dr. Saul said international experts had advised Bermuda one would be "inappropriate''. "On the issue of fiscal responsibility, Government is quite convinced a helicopter is not necessary,'' he said.

Mr. Alex Scott (PLP), claiming not much had been said on the subject, said he remained concerned about employment opportunities for Bermudians at the Airport. He suggested making the unemployment office a "pro-active facility instead of reactive''.

He said there was no mistake that given "the absence of commitment'' on the Government side, the PLP would "strongly defend Bermudians and their right to this new responsibility (the Airport).'' For his part, Health and Social Services Minister the Hon. Quinton Edness took umbrage at the Opposition's earlier suggestion that Government was being financially irresponsible.

"We are very fortunate as a Government to have Dr. David Saul as Finance Minister,'' the Minister said. "He is guiding the fiscal ship -- and I don't think anyone can question it -- with great aplomb.'' Mr. Edness, who said the Opposition was trying to "mislead'' the public, also insisted that Government was in need of greater authority as outlined in the Airport amendment.

"The Government has to have the flexibility to enter into contracts in advance,'' he said. "Consequently, Honourable Members opposite should not sit there and argue against the Constitutional point that in order to have good management you have to delegate authority. They should rethink the thrust of their opposition to this amendment and pick on something else, because they're all wet on this subject.'' Shadow Environment Minister Mr. Trevor Woolridge , however, downplayed the idea that the Government needed more authority to run the Airport efficiently.

In response to the suggestion by Mr. Soares that both Houses of Parliament would have to be convened every time an emergency vehicle broke down, Rev.

Woolridge said: "To suggest that if an emergency arose a sign would go up at the Airport saying "Sorry we're closed'' is ridiculous. It is this kind of irresponsibility that raises alarms and concerns.'' On the subject of a new Airport authority, Rev. Woolridge was equally scathing. Citing a report which already noted a lack of clear leadership at the facility, he said: "If we are going to provide a new department at the Airport and three new positions as intended in this amendment, it is my hope and the hope of the Progressive Labour Party that we no longer have confusion over who in fact is responsible for it.'' Rev. Woolridge added that the seeming hastiness of the amendment indicated the Government was "trying to play catch-up'' after two years of inactivity. But Management and Technology Minister the Hon. Grant Gibbons , whose Ministry is overseeing the US base transition, denied Rev. Woolridge's contention, claiming the amendment was necessary to ensure a smooth turnover.

"I think there is some confusion between air navigation and Airport operation,'' he told the House. "Under the current arrangement, we are responsible for the Air Terminal but not the entire Airport. The point of this legislation is to extend our responsibilities to be able to manage a full-fledged Airport.'' He went on: "A question has been raised: `Have we hired a general manager?' Well, the Minister of Transport is unable to hire a general manager until we pass this amendment, which is why we're trying to get it through with this batch. It is not an attempt at steam-rolling.'' Dr. Gibbons' assurances that there would be plenty of job opportunities at the Airport, however, did not convince Shadow Youth and Sport Minister Dr. Ewart Brown.

"In listening to (Dr. Gibbons),'' Dr. Brown said, "I heard that Serco (Avaition Services Inc., the Canadian company hired to operate the Airport) has its own college to train employees.

"That's wonderful. But why does it raise the red light? Because in the past those who were not in such pipelines have often been screened out. If there were evil minds at work, this would be a perfect opportunity to screen out many young Bermudians who are otherwise FAA-certified.'' Continued in Monday's newspaper.