Bermuda Regiment.

And Government Leader in Senate the Hon. Charles Winfield said the present strength of the force is correct, during his debate on the budget for the Ministry of Delegated Affairs.

Opposition Senate Leader Sen. Alex Scott called on regimental training to concentrate more on marine operations.

Sen. Winfield said he was partly in agreement and pointed out that the role of the Bermuda Regiment was constantly being evaluated.

The Opposition leader asked if the strength of the force was being considered for a cut from 700 to 500.

He said: "Instead of considering a cut in the Bermuda Regiment, we should consider an expansion in its role.

"It is surprising that our armed force does not really have training in marine, coastal and amphibious exercises that one would have expected for an island community.'' Sen. Scott asked why British Forces, who used marine equipment to train in Bermuda, did not leave the equipment behind for the use of the Regiment after they left.

But Sen. Winfield said: "A recent investigation found that the strength of the Regiment is correct.

"It already has a number of small inshore craft at its disposal. It uses this craft to support the Police for events like the Bermuda Race.'' Sen. Scott also hit out at the cuts in the Police Force saying they have come at the wrong time. He was particularly worried about the cuts in parish constables.

Sen. Winfield said: "It is interesting that the PLP should believe that the cuts in the Police Force are at the wrong time. As soon as the Government makes cuts the Opposition, who have been calling for the cuts, leaps to change its position.

"Every parish will continue to have one parish constable, except for Pembroke which has two. Each is well served by experienced detectives who concentrate on knowing their parish.'' The Opposition also questioned the cutting of cadet trainees, but Sen.

Winfield said that adult recruits were increasing, probably because of the recession.

He stressed that the percentage of Bermudians was now above 50 percent especially after recent cuts at the end of some overseas officers' contracts.

He also praised community work by the Police and training methods which have been introduced to improve the quality of the force.

The fire service also came in for praise from Sen. Winfield for both their emergency and fire prevention work in the Island. He said they spend many hours looking at plans and visiting premises to check on fire safety.

He said: "We recognise the tremendous contribution that the fire service, the Police and the Bermuda Regiment have made to the well-being of the country.''