after subjecting Government departments to a furious tongue-lashing.

Mixing acid with wit, he treated yesterday's first sitting of the House of Assembly to a series of swipes against bumbling bureaucrats.

He said a charter would make civil servants more accountable to the public.

The Independent MP also took a potshot at Judge Stephen Tumim -- head of this summer's criminal justice review committee.

He described him as a "Rumpole of the Bailey without a brain'' -- a reference to the hilarious TV and fiction character.

Mr. Viera said he had been unable to meet Judge Tumim, despite weeks of notice, or give the committee the benefit of his 20-plus years in politics.

"Meanwhile Judge Tumim was giving a running commentary to the media,'' he added.

And in a further broadside, he accused Government of cutting Police manpower while crime soared.

Mr. Viera lashed out during the motion to adjourn debate.

Just an hour earlier, in the Throne Speech Government's scrutiny of its departments was trumpeted.

The "Access to Government'' campaign was aimed at boosting efficiency, accountability, and productivity.

"Each programme of Government is being analysed and, over the next two years, every resource will be quantified,'' the speech said.

Mr. Viera seemed unimpressed, mounting a withering assault on Government's Information Services.

He suggested vast sums had been splashed out on an organisation which appeared useless.

"I am still trying to find out what they all do,'' he said.

Mr. Viera added his "friends in the media'' had told him the department was a waste of time.

He also listed bureaucratic buck-passing while trying to get a map of the constituency he intended contesting at the next election.

After approaching the Parliamentery Registration Office, he was palmed off on to Works and Engineering, then the land evaluation office, and back to Works and Engineering.

Tantalisingly, Mr. Viera, who will not contest his Southampton West seat in the next election, refused to answer cries of "which constituency, Harry?'' Instead he continued his invective, swiping at the Environment and Works and Engineering Ministries.

He recalled a frustrated bid to reach Works Minister the Hon. Clarence Terceira over problems of sand on the entrance to Elbow Beach Hotel.

Mr. Viera said he was told the problem probably lay with the Environment Minister -- although the department spokesman was uncertain.

"The sand is still there,'' he added.

Marine and Ports also came under fire for not ensuring ferry ticket sellers wear name tags.

Mr. Viera said he had approached the department after holidaymakers complained they were unable to identify a rude ticket seller.

Mr. Harry Viera MP.