moves to make Bermuda fairer.

But the Progressive Labour Party cast doubt on Government's commitment to improving the criminal justice system.

And it accused Cabinet Ministers of dragging their heels on key recommendations in Judge Stephen Tumim's report.

Shadow Environment Minister Mr. Julian Hall slammed Government for holding back from supporting a code of non-custodial sentences. And Shadow Health Minister Mr. Nelson Bascome demanded to know why legislation had not come "hard on the heels'' of the report.

The two parties crossed swords during an often heated debate in the House of Assembly yesterday.

Most of the debate centred on "institutionalised racism'' spotlighted by Tumim -- Chief Inspector of Prisons in England and Wales.

The report was introduced by Minister of Delegated Affairs the Hon. Sir John Sharpe. His aim was to give an update on the report -- and he revealed Government may produce a white paper later.

This would be a detailed document, possibly incorporating MPs' suggestions.

Sir John repeated Government's support for the "main thrust'' of the report.

Key recommendations it backed included: Abolition of mandatory imprisonment of traffic offenders.

Banning the prison service from holding youngsters under 16.

Complaints against the Police to be investigated by an outside body.

Setting up a Government working party to examine social conditions.

Reforming the Legal Aid system.

But Sir John said Government had "reserved its position'' on Tumim's call for a "code of non-custodial sentences'' to be adopted in Bermuda. He said Bermuda was waiting to see the outcome of Britain's debate on this.

Sir John also said there were doubts in legal circles about moving the Police, Probation Services, and Prison Service under one Ministry.

Mr. Bascome suggested Government was using the Judge Tumim report for political advantage -- particularly with an election looming.

Although backing most of the report, Mr. Bascome voiced concern about putting the Probation Services, Police, and Prison Services under one umbrella.

This could destroy a person's relationship with a probation officer, he said.

Mr. Hall mounted a fiery attack on Government, accusing it of buttressing institutionalised racism.

The United Bermuda Party could only wipe out such racism by destroying itself, he said.

Mr. Hall attacked Government for dragging its feet on a code of non-custodial sentences.

It was time for Bermuda to treat and care for offenders, rather than lock them away.

Mr. Hall also suggested Government appeared reluctant to implement Tumim's recommendation for Police interviews to be video and tape-recorded. Full report -- Page 5.