the policy barring Opposition MPs from visiting Government schools to talk about what they do in politics.

It's too bad that he doesn't throw the policy in the trash where it belongs.

And the question of how this misguided policy was decided in the first place still has not been answered.

The bottom line here is that children -- and adults -- should be as well informed as possible about how Bermuda works and Government and Opposition MPs have a role to play.

Clearly, it would be wrong if a school exclusively invited either Government or Opposition MPs to speak or visit. There should be policies and protocols in place to ensure that the visits do not become vehicles for political propaganda.

But how can children learn about the institutions of Government and learn how to become educated and informed voters if only one side -- or no side -- of the story is told? Sen. Scott has also claimed that the former Government pressured schools to bar Opposition politicians from visiting in the run-up to the last Election.

If that is true, then it was wrong -- but two wrongs do not make a right.

Politicians should be allowed to visit schools, especially in the run-ups to elections when political interest is at its peak. Provided the visits are educational and do not become "vote for us'' efforts, there should be no reason for concern or complaint.

WITHOUT FAVOUR EDT Without favour The continuing row about influence peddling on Parliament only adds ammunition to the campaign for a Register of Interests for Parliamentarians.

The Premier deserves credit for making it clear to members of her party that contracts and jobs will not be awarded willy nilly to Progressive Labour Party members and supporters.

The Opposition is right to call for more detail as well in order to reassure the public that there have been no instances of influence being unfairly exerted -- but the United Bermuda Party cannot have been surprised if it was then queried in turn on instances where UBP members had Government contracts.

The real issue is not who has what contracts or jobs, but whether or not the proper procedures were followed to ensure that no political pressure was brought to bear.

There has been no suggestion of cronyism or political favour being used; indeed, the UBP's Tim Smith has shown that he went further than existing policies required to ensure that his hands were clean in regard to contracts between his family's company and the Government.

Because Bermuda is small, and because it has part-time politicians, conflicts of interest are inevitable and requiring a "hands-off'' policy for politicians would disqualify too many people who have a real contribution to make to Bermuda's governance.

By the same token, a politician's interest in a company should not disqualify the business from consideration for contracts; the contract should go to the bidder offering the best service for the most reasonable price.

What is needed is a declaration of interests so that politicians can openly remove themselves from discussions when their business interests are concerned. Whether MP Trevor Moniz's proposal for legislators's spouses interests to be declared is necessary as well is up for debate; if dropping it means that the Register is established, then so be it.

The important thing is for the Register to be established so that any suspicion of influence peddling is removed.