control its own force as well as pay for it.

The Hon. Sir John Sharpe introduced the budget for his Ministry of Delegate and Legislative Affairs. The Ministry covers the Bermuda Regiment, Police and Fire Services, all of which were praised by MPs for their work.

Opposition spokesman Mr. Stanley Morton said it was time to redefine the Regiment's role with the aim of cutting numbers and costs.

"I can recall when the army was beefed up and the Police was beefed up because of the thought of possible riots in our streets and so forth, but we have long matured in our community and have moved away from that type of activity.'' Recruits needed the Regiment to have a clear purpose, making it more harmonious and productive.

On the subject of external defence, he felt the US would come to Bermuda's aid before the UK "had a chance to pick up the phone''.

Mrs. Grace Bell (UBP) said cash for the Regiment was money well-spent. Young people called up became better citizens.

NLP leader Mr. Gilbert Darrell agreed with other members that Bermuda could be proud of the Regiment.

Sir John said external defence was an out of date concept for the Regiment.

"There is no specific training done for defence against external aggression.'' He did not think intake to the Regiment should be cut.

In reply to a question from Mrs. Lois Browne Evans (PLP) he said he would check whether the Regiment brig (prison) had been made more habitable.

Turning to Police, he said the ratios of Bermudian to non-Bermudian and black to white were becoming more reflective of the population. Black officers make up about 57 percent of the force and Bermudians make up 55 percent, he said.

He expected 60 percent of officers to be Bermudians by the end of the year.

It had been difficult to achieve a totally Bermudian force because of the past need to increase force numbers, and the difficulty in recruiting locals. Until recently, jobs that were agreeable and social had been available.

Women officers consisted of two inspectors, three sergeants, 58 constables and eight cadets.

There were 52 complaints against Police last year, he said, mainly alleging assault, harassment and bad attitude. Fourteen had been resolved informally.

The complaints system was being re-examined to see if it could be made more independent.

Mr. Morton looked forward to the day when Police were locally controlled. He called for a better approach by traffic Police to the public, especially people a few miles over the speed limit.

"I wonder whether the Police traffic department is told: `Look, you have a quota. We want to raise x number of dollars by way of fines'.'' Mr. Julian Hall (PLP) said although there were "men of incredible integrity'' in the force, there were also some "die-hard crooks''.

He said there was a "power vacuum'' in fundamental areas of state. The Governor was constitutionally responsible for Police but seemed to have little to do with real policies. The Minister could speak in the House about the Police, but was not constitutionally responsible.

"I don't see why the people of Bermuda should be called to dish out $25 million for an area of responsibility which is not accountable through their elected Parliament to the people of Bermuda.'' Mr. Stuart Hayward (Ind) encouraged the Commissioner to change the Police relationship with young people, and to steadily educate youth on bike noise limits.

MINISTRY OF DELEGATED AND LEGISTLATIVE AFFAIRS, 1993 994 ESTIMATES Budget estimate $32,221,000 (last year $32,411,000) Budget allocations Defence $3,930,000 Police $24,985,000 Fire Services $3,192,000 Security Services & Del. and Leg. Affairs $114,000.