exchange between Government and Opposition parties on Wednesday.

PLP Senator Trevor Woolridge accused the chair of favouring the Government after he was censured during the adjournment debate.

It was a blistering attack as tempers rose over whether the Senate is the correct forum to raise a complaint over alleged improper actions by a civil servant.

Government Sen. Jerome Dill said he had never heard such an attack on the President and hoped he never would again.

The row started when Opposition Senate leader Sen. Alex Scott raised an issue concerning Grotto Bay. He said he had received a complaint from a member of the public over the behaviour of a Government officer.

During his investigation he had been told the Minister concerned did not look favourably on complaints being made to the PLP.

Sen. Scott said: "It is not for the Minister, or anyone else in the land to query the involvement of another Parliamentarian in search of information.'' But Government senators said Sen. Scott should have taken the matter to the Minister instead of making it public.

Sen. Dill accused him of being arrogant and Sen. Wendell Hollis said although Sen. Scott has a right to speak on a citizen's behalf he had no right to attack a civil servant who could not defend himself.

The PLP leader was supported by Opposition members of the Senate, Sen.

Woolridge said: "We hope for a civil service flooded with Ken Richardsons but we are not. One or two have deficiencies and we do what we can to help them improve.'' Hostile exchanges began when Sen. Woolridge attacked Sen Dill before he had even spoken and was stopped by Government Leader, the Hon. Michael Winfield who claimed he had not made certain statements.

Sen. Woolridge then accused the President of censuring him for certain comments when he had not stopped similar comments from Government senators.

Sen. Dill described the attack as "shameless''.