ERROR RG P4 17.3.2000 Statements attributed to Development and Opportunity Minister Terry Lister, also responsible for Human Affairs, in a story on Thursday about a row over the legality of mandatory race reporting in the workplace should have been attributed to a spokesman for the Department of Human Affairs.

Lawyer Tim Marshall yesterday vowed to take court action if controversial new proposals on mandatory race reporting in the workplace go forwardunchanged.

He said: "If the legislation remains in its present form, my company will file its proceedings before it is required to register.'' The news came as Development and Opportunity Minister Terry Lister yesterday took a fresh swipe at Mr. Marshall, who slammed new rules on race reporting for businesses.

And Mr. Lister said -- despite 1995 claims from barrister Mr. Marshall that a race question in the Employment Survey risked a step along the road to Nazi Germany-style attitudes -- the Island had not slipped into a fascist approach to foreigners.

Mr. Lister added: "It is now five years later and, despite race being identified in every Employment Survey since then, there is no evidence of the rise of Nazi Germany-style conditions as a result of that question.'' And Mr. Lister said that reporting on racial break-downs in the jobs market was regarded as normal in most other countries.

He added: "Just about every country in the world can tell you what the racial make-up of its workforce is.

"It's a statistical question which is no more threatening than being asked what your age is for insurance purposes.'' Mr. Lister lashed out after The Royal Gazette exclusively reported Mr.

Marshall's view that mandatory reporting on race balances in the workplace was probably against the Bermuda Constitution guarantee of freedom of association and assembly.

Mr. Lister said: "It is disappointing that Mr. Marshall has chosen to frame his response to CURE initiatives in this manner.'' And he insisted: "However, the Government does believe these initiatives will be fully supported by the community.'' International businessman William Williams, however, last week announced his intention to move his $10 billion firm STW to California, citing tough new proposals to clamp down on work permits and more power for CURE as the main reasons.

Mr. Marshall said that the exit of STW was proof that there was unease over a tougher approach from Government. He added: "We all regret that that particular company left us instead of trying to use the available means to change the department's mind.