For some time, the PLP has been a vocal advocate in support of the Police Service and the concept of greater civilianisation of the administrative tasks. The objective was to release desk-bound-officers for community policing. In fact, our call for community policing pre-dates by many years the recruitment of Commissioner Coxall and the resulting drafting of the Bermuda Police Strategy in 1995.

We note the allocation of $700,000 in this year's Budget committed to the further civilianisation programme of the Bermuda Police Service. However, we believe the people also have a right to know the cost to the taxpayer of Coxall's failed experiments. Where is the accountability, when for the last sixteen years, this UBP Government has had responsibility for all training and recruitment of police? Where is the accountability, when, after a whole year of expensive foreign leadership, the application of community policing is still not a reality in the parishes? Where is the accountability, when the Bermuda Police Service still does not have a Bermudian Commissioner and one is not even on the horizon? Bermudians do not feel safe in their homes. Crimes of violence are dangerously high -- not falling. Our visitors continue to be attacked. The PLP Crime Report said that there needed to be a report setting out an action plan if we are, as a country, ever to realistically expect to reverse the current decline in drug interdiction and the decline in the percentage of those convicted for the trafficking of drugs into Bermuda. A PLP Government will consider it a priority to produce the necessary action plan.

Long-Term Residents A PLP Government will introduce a package of protective policy initiatives for Bermudians, while simultaneously moving to implement a new system of "Permanent Residency'', that will provide security of tenure to long-term residents of Bermuda who have made a contribution to our country and which is not linked to any form of Bermudian status or voting rights.

In summarising Government's approach to the Immigration, Labour and Public Safety Ministry, it must be said that unlike the UBP Government's 30 year record, the PLP will manage the economy and the countries' resources in the best interest of all Bermudians.

Education Mr. Speaker, we have had 30 years of United Bermuda Party management -- some would say mismanagement -- of Education. Thirty years in which standards have been so diminished that 50 percent of senior school students currently at CedarBridge are reading at a grade nine level. It is a shame when the principal of that school has to call for programmes to deal with low literacy skills; I can remember a time when Bermudians, whose only formal education was at the primary level, were able to run businesses, buy homes and move up the ladder -- all because they had a good basic education.

The UBP Government may be proud of the buildings it has erected and the computers it has installed, but without literacy skills, 50 percent of the students at one of our two senior schools are not prepared for the challenges ahead, nor do they have "the skills needed to recognise and seize opportunity''. Adequate funding for remedial reading programmes should include a summer school programme for senior CedarBridge students. Current planned private partnership programmes, scheduled to begin next term, will not be of much help to students scheduled to graduate in June.

The UBP Government's boast of good management has to ring hollow when studying the unbudgeted items of expenditure (page 14 of the 1998/99 Budget statement).

As long as the Hon. Mr. Terceira's stewardship of Education, principals and this party were calling for an alternate school. That Minister even admitted that there was such a need, but the current Minister decided to ignore the advice and now we had Government saying they had to "unexpectedly'' fund $80,000 to staff an alternate school at Warwick Camp. Mr. Speaker, the current plans for the school are for some 20 to 30 students -- we will not be surprised if the $350,000 budgeted for the school's operation is also found to be insufficient due to increased enrolment.

Mr. Speaker, you may remember that the Shadow Minister of Education, our Leader Ms Jennifer Smith, focused on the issue of mainstreaming special needs students on the floor of this House. At that time, when Ms Smith accused Government of not having done their homework first, the then Minister of Education disagreed. In 1996, during debate on the Education Act, the Shadow Minister noted how it would be more cost-effective, in some instances, to educate a student abroad and now we have a study being undertaken by the Management Services Department to ensure the cost-efficient delivery "in view of the rapidly escalating resources to support this programme''.

Government's lack of foresight has led to many of the "unexpected'', unbudgeted items. For a number of years, the Bermuda Union of Teachers and Principals Association have been expressing concern about the safety of teachers and students we have even raised this issue on the floor of this House, but it took a tragic injury to a teacher before Government responded to the call with a school's security programme.

The story is the same for the extra costs for staff for the special needs' programme and overtime for the teachers to prepare for the opening of CedarBridge Academy. Because both of these events were foreseeable, in fact predicted, we could be forgiven for wondering if the funding for such items was excluded because they might have "unbalanced'' the Budget.

The development of the Berkeley Institute as the second senior school was originally planned for the year 2000 -- and while we welcome the inclusion of $6 million to get this project underway, we are cognisant of the fact that the $3 million allocated last year was not spent.

Mr. Speaker, we congratulate the Chairman of the Berkeley's Board of Governors, who has sensibly stated that "work cannot begin on the school until the number of students and the required courses to be taught are determined''. We remind Government of its pledge that this facility would be equal in standard and facilities to CedarBridge.

Mr. Speaker, while we welcome the completion of CedarBridge Academy, we must note the school's new auditorium will only seat a third of the student body and we are concerned that the $72 million complex, in its first year of operation, is already suffering the effects of overcrowding. The recent weather has focused attention on the school's ability to serve its student body with no covered structure that can accommodate even half of the student body.

Our visit to the school evidenced an abundance of computers, while the library was devoid of books -- we have asked whether the expenditure of $1.9 million on "computers and other equipment'', includes books finally.

The Ministry of Education was given its own Controller; then an audit of the Ministry with improving efficiencies. We have to ask what has happened to the recommendations from the Management Services Review.

Mr. Speaker, we are proud of the achievements of our young people -- we are proud of the accomplishments of our teachers and principals -- but these positive instances aside, we must be concerned at the state of illiteracy on the Island. We cannot go forward confidently into the next millennium, where more advanced skills will be required, knowing that we have fallen short in preparing our young people for the coming age. Such preparation must begin with a study of the extent of the problem -- we know the statistics for CedarBridge Academy, but what of our Middle School students? Where is the problem occurring? Reading is a fundamental skill and programmes to improve this vital area must be implemented as early as possible to foster a love for learning that will enable students to take advantage of all the opportunities offered.

Youth Development, Sport, Parks and Recreation Mr. Speaker, we believe that our children are the future and it is paramount to have families committed to the value of education, sports and recreation for the future. The PLP will continue to advocate the need for a National Youth Service Corps. The benefit is this will encourage the development of leadership and discipline through programmes of training and education to enhance future opportunities for young people.

There is a rising incidence of youth violence. To ensure that our children are raised in safe environments, the PLP supports the rebuilding of our communities so we can help save our families and save our children.

We recommend initiatives that will see the allocation of resources for community centres as they are important to family development. There are promises by Government to provide community centres and Government has voiced support for family and community values although the funding and required action for these projects are not forthcoming.

The chairman of the National Sports Centre, now referred to as the Bermuda National Centre Board of Trustees, has stated: "Government has indicated that they will give some relief in connection with duty on imported goods in an effort to reduce the overall costs and we expect that Government will give back -- by way of grants, an amount equal to the duty on imported construction materials''. The Chairman has stated: "The Trustees are committed to doing everything possible to make sure the costs are not in excess of estimates and we can assure the public that we have no intention of being surprised by cost overruns.'' The Bermuda National Centre is essential and it must be paid for. There have been cost overruns, mistakes in construction and delays in finalising the project for various reasons. The high cost of development will effect the rental of the facilities and in turn will be passed on to the sporting bodies that use the Centre facilities. Government will be giving with one hand and taking with the other, as there will be a request for additional subsidies to sporting bodies to fund any extra expenses they incur in respect of their use of the Bermuda National Centre.

The PLP would work closely with existing sporting clubs who own and lease grounds to enhance and develop their facilities. To maximise the potential of our athletes, their training and playing environments must be conducive for the betterment of their disciplines.

Pensions "We are in effect causing people to sink their money into a pool of future wealth which is now so murky that few can see the reefs and occasional sharks lurking beneath the surface. The pension pool is getting murkier. The recent Pensions Act is a noble if uninspiring effort to address the problem.

The result somewhat perversely is to add yet another confusing layer of complex legislation.'' -- Keith Bedell-Pearce, Managing Director, Prudential Corporation The World Bank has termed the pensions issue "the biggest crisis of our time''. The retirement and pensions industry is in a quandary because there is an increasing gulf between what is being paid into Government and private pension schemes and what is being drawn out.

In developed countries, people are living longer and continuing to draw benefits. An International Monetary Fund (IMF) report indicates the scale of the problem and urges Governments to act fast.

Too often when people reach retirement age they find that their income is insufficient to meet their needs. There has to be a balancing act. For instance, when you look at the impact on small businesses, one has to be mindful that imposing measures on small businesses which may be more labour-intensive than the more lucrative larger businesses, is not always the sensible or prudent approach. Where should the burden fall? A number of small businesses have already made representations to the overseas tax consultants about the effect of payroll tax on their small businesses and the need for some form of tax relief.

Mr. Speaker, we would not expect pension legislation to be geared to levy a harsh burden on those who can least afford it. No one can deny in principle the need for everyone to have some form of retirement benefit. Retirement planning is essential. It is forward planning and it provides options.

However, the problem throughout with this Government has been that it takes an idea which in theory is good but it does not work out the details so that the practical realities work. Attention to detail is what distinguishes a good idea from a great one. To change the action, you need to change the thinking and you need to change the government.

The Progressive Labour Party is concerned that with an ageing population and the uncertainty surrounding Government's ability to meet its future pension obligations, a large segment of the population will not have sufficient funds for retirement. As a result we believe that Government should be considering initiatives aimed at encouraging personal savings so that people are able to secure their own financial welfare. This initiative should be seen as complementary to the long awaited National Pension Scheme.

Community and Cultural Affairs The PLP firmly believes that the Government must set the tone and provide the framework to facilitate a climate which is