They give the public " value for money'' and deserve a raise.

This was the general sentiment in the House of Assembly as the budget of Non-Ministry departments was debated.

Leading the debate Finance Minister the Hon. David Saul said he expected it to be non-contentious.

And this was proven true as all MPs congratulated Opposition Leader Mr.

Frederick Wade for his comments about Legislature spending.

Mr. Wade said the $2.6 million spent in that area was worth it, especially because of the six staff members who serve both Houses.

"They do an excellent job,'' he said. "I wonder how they get it all done and at the same time put up with inane questions of members.'' Mr. Wade said members of both Houses also generally "work pretty hard''.

In addition to attending numerous black-tie affairs and donating money to various individuals and groups, Mr. Wade said most members are accessible to their constituents.

He said he often defends members when they are accused of not "earning their keep''.

"Bermuda is truly served by Parliamentarians,'' Mr. Wade said.

However, he added, that there were too many members in the House.

There should be 30 people in single-seat constituencies with "one man, one vote'', he said.

"This way you can make the House more efficient.'' He said combining some Ministries would also help.

Mr. Wade also said Bermuda's Parliament was "one of the most orderly in the world''.

"I have not seen any physical fights in my time here,'' he said.

Noting that members are often able to discusses differences in private in a "civilised and dispassionate'' manner.

Mr. Wade said while it would be wrong for Parliamentarians to ask for a raise when expecting the public to have little or no increase in wages, members' salaries should be kept in pace with the rest of the community when Bermuda comes out of the recession.

However, he stressed that the increases should be "small, steady increases.

And, Mr. Wade said, the theory would be that the old (or current) House would vote on increases for the new House.

Mr. Wade also said it was unfortunate that there was no written transcript of Parliament's proceedings.

Because, he said, The Royal Gazette deliberately misquoted members and then "bashed'' them on the misquotes.

"I don't mind being hammered on a quote,'' Mr. Wade said. "But I resent when I get misquoted, then blasted on that.'' Mr. Stanley Lowe (PLP) said he fully endorsed what Mr. Wade said about Parliament members.

"If members of Parliament don't have high esteem of themselves, how should we expect the public to,'' he said.

Mr. Lowe also noted the House and Grounds Committee's report which stated the need for wheelchair accessibility to the House.

He urged Dr. Saul to consider the report which would benefit both members and visitors who may be handicapped or temporarily immobile.

Mr. Ernest DeCouto (UBP) also commended both staff and members at the House.

And he supported Mr. Wade's statement about MPs salaries.

But he said the number of members should not be decreased.

Noting that St. Lucia only has 15 members and the eight governing members are all Cabinet members, Mr. DeCouto said Bermuda's number of MPs provided the country with cheques and balances on both sides.

The Hon. C.V. (Jim) Woolridge called Mr. Wade's speech "wonderful'' and he agreed that there was a need for "more accurate'' reporting of House proceedings.

"I spent some considerable time on my feet on Monday only to read that I was quoted as saying Bermuda could not expect to regain the glory days of 1980,'' Mr. Woolridge said.

"But that article failed to mention I said this was because we have less hotel beds.'' NON-MINISTRY DEPARTMENTS 1993 994 ESTIMATES Budget estimate $13,292,000 (last year $13,348,000) Budget allocations Governor and Staff $829,000 Legislature $2,062,000 Judicial Department $2,869,000 AG's Chambers $1,401,000 Audit $1,063,000 Pub. Ser. Commission $48,000 Cabinet Office $1,967,000 Personnel Services $3,053,000.