telecommunications this year, it was announced yesterday during the budget debate in the House of Assembly.

The Hon. John Stubbs (UBP), who as minister was credited with securing two satellite slots for Bermuda through an international conference in Geneva, said it was "a little bit premature'' to comment on plans for development of one of the two slots.

"When it becomes time to disclose what some of these opportunities are for us, I think all sides of the House ...will be pulling together and supporting these developments,'' Dr. Stubbs said.

"Certainly within the next year, at least, we will have something very substantial to report. These are early days of a very, very exciting possibility.'' Dr. Stubbs made his comments during the debate on the $2.1-million budget for the Ministry of Management, Information Services and Telecommmunications.

The Budget was introduced by Finance Minister the Hon. David Saul , because Information Minister the Hon. Michael Winfield sits in the Senate.

Although telecommunications accounts for only $320,000 of the department's expenditures, it uncharacteristically received the majority of attention from MPs.

Dr. Saul said it was the first time in about four budgets that the House found time to debate "this very small but very important department''.

As well as administering the Telecommunications Act, the four-person telecommunications section works with the private sector on developing Bermuda's telecommunications, Dr. Saul said.

"Bermuda has some of the most highly advanced communication facilities in the world,'' he said. "The local business community, certainly international companies, require the highest standard of communication services. "Our future and our future growth is going to depend on telecommunications.'' Opposition Leader Mr. Frederick Wade (PLP), who yielded some of his time to Dr. Stubbs, praised Cable & Wireless and the Bermuda Telephone Co. Ltd. for their degree of Bermudianisation in a field where highly-trained professionals are needed.

Other Bermuda companies could take a lesson from the dedication of the two companies to training Bermudians, Mr. Wade said.

Premier the Hon. Sir John Swan said he rose on the subject of telecommunications because "we all would like to raise the profile of the whole question of telecommunications technology.

"It is an area which we as a small island here in the middle of the Atlantic must regard as probably one of the most cherished aspects that we have.'' Government is working with Telco and Cable and Wireless on a long-term telecommunications policy for Bermuda, Sir John said.

Bermuda must not only keep pace with new technology but the Country's education and training must change too, he said.

Due to Bermuda's telecommunications technology, "although we remain small as a country in terms of size and in terms of population, we are able to grow then in ability to earn''.

Mr. David Allen (PLP) noted broadcasting comes under telecommunications and called for changes in the regulation of political broadcasting.

On which occasions the Government is entitled to free time on the electronic media should be clearly spelled out, as should the right of the Opposition to make responses, Mr. Allen said.

He pointed to Dr. Saul's budget news conference last week which was aired for 30 minutes by the Bermuda Broadcasting Company. "We're still negotiating for a half an hour of response,'' Mr. Allen said of the PLP.

In the US two-party system, the Opposition is guaranteed time to respond to Government announcements, he said. But in Bermuda the situation "is not even-handed''.

In the case of Dr. Saul's news conference, "we expect redress,'' Mr.

Allen said.

Management Services account for $758,000 of the department's spending, down three percent from last year, Dr. Saul said.

The role of Management Services has been redefined, he said. Its role was now not only to make Government departments more efficient, but more effective and responsive as well.

Management Services was involved in locating recent budget cuts, a recent review of prison services, preparation of a recent report on access to Government, recent efforts to make the Planning Department more user-friendly, an ongoing review of the role and funding of parish councils, and recent reviews of the operation of Marine and Ports and the prosecutions office, Dr.

Saul said.

In the coming year, Management Services would look at a new set-up for the Registrar of Companies office, review the way prisoners are moved to court, review parts of the Transport Control Department, and look at a Tumim Report recommendation to move probation services to the prison department, among other activities, Dr. Saul said, adding: "We really think we get a great deal out of the Management Services department.'' Mr. Wade suggested Management Services be asked to do long-term planning for the Education Ministry, since it "needs the hand of someone who knows how to organise and carry through''.

He called for a return to elected parish councils, and charged Government made them appointed bodies "for UBP members and their supporters'' after the PLP began to win seats.

Either Management Services does a poor job, or nobody listens to its recommendations, Mr. Wade said. The TCD licensing system was reviewed, and now "I think it's gotten worse than it was before''.

He also called for Crown barristers to replace Police prosecutors in Magistrates' Court. "It would be more expensive, but at the end of the day it might make for more efficient courts.'' Mr. Eugene Blakeney (PLP) said when Management Services completes a study that will affect employees, the report should be turned over to personnel services for discussions with unions.

Dr. Saul said that with a staff of 16 involved in public affairs, photographic services, and graphics, Government Information Services accounted for just over $1 million of the Department's spending.

Mr. Allen said Information Services "is not utilised enough,'' particularly in the photographic area and in "spoon-feeding'' the foreign media.

"In this period of austerity, we are missing opportunities to maximise the amount of free publicity we can get in the overseas media'' by constantly sending out photographs and other material, he said.

MINITRY OF MANAGEMENT, INFORMATION SERVICES AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS, 1993 994 BUDGET Ministry objective: To provide support to the Government of Bermuda by promoting effectiveness and efficiency in the public service and promoting effective communication between the Government and the people of Bermuda and to administer the Telecommunications Act.

Budget Estimate $2,135,000 (last year $2,084,000) Budget allocations: Management Services $758,000 Telecommunications $320,000 Government Information Services $1,057,000 Revenue $4,800,000.