Assembly on Friday that Bermudian workers' rights had been trampled on by bosses at Oscar's bar in Hamilton.

The PLP member urged Government to help the six Bermudians threatened with job losses.

And he warned he would act if the once popular nightspot closed.

"If the owner closes the building, and if Government don't do anything I will personally ensure he does not open another building in this Country,'' said Mr. Simmons.

He said he was appalled by an alleged remark made by the bar's owner.

The owner reportedly threatened to "blow up'' the building or sell it after finding out the workers were going to approach the BIU.

Mr. Simmons also spoke of the Somerset Bridge hotel which had gone into receivership and closed.

"Never have I known any company go into receivership and close down. That does not make sense.'' Mr. Simmons said the receivers were there to put businesses on a firm financial footing.

This had happened with the St. George's Club, which was now doing well.

Government had ensured this.

Mr. Simmons said the plight of Somerset Bridge, owned by Deputy Opposition leader Mr. Walter Roberts , was a case of institutional racism.

Earlier, Shadow Health Minister Mr. Nelson Bascome expressed concern at the politics of the Bermuda National Trust.

He said many people had been deterred by this -- although Mr. Bascome said he was sure the Trust's policies would change.

On child abuse, Mr. Bascome said he deplored the way it was being politicised.

The House of Assembly was being violated as a forum when members used the issue as a political football -- many people in the community were becoming disenchanted as a result.

In particular, Mr. Bascome took a swipe at Health Minister the Hon. Quinton Edness .

Mr. Bascome continued by criticising the "over-regulation'' which was hitting street vendors.

Regulations were making it difficult for pedlars of snowballs and trinkets to ply their trade.

Mr. Bascome noted there were fewer street vendors on Bermuda Day.

Labour Minister the Hon. Irving Pearman criticised Mr. Simmons for blaming everything on Government.

It was wrong to dramatise in the House and mislead the public.

Mr. Pearman said Government had not sat idly by when the predicament of employees at the Canadian Base and Oscar's nightspot came to light.

"It is grossly unfair to say this callous Government is doing nothing about it.'' Mr. Pearman said he had acted immediately once reading about the Oscar's bar problems.

"We are ahead of the game,'' he stressed.

With Fidelity International, the company wanted to do everything possible to save jobs during its restructuring.

Mr. Pearman said more Bermudians were employed today than even four or five months ago.

The job market was being dominated by Bermudians, and there were fewer work permits.

Mr. Pearman spoke of a training programme which he wanted to use as a model for other employers.

And he told how Bermudian businesses were being asked to provide a total profile of their workplace.

Mr. Phillip Smith (UBP) said casino gambling was not the way ahead for Bermuda.

He called for more family-orientated entertainment on the Island.

The St. George's North MP then focused on the prospect of a cruise ship for the town.

He said a St. George's cruise ship was vital for the people and the town's economy.

Stressing he was not picking on the Premier the Hon. Sir John Swan , Mr. Smith said Government had made a Throne Speech commitment for a St. George's cruise ship in 1994.

Mr. Smith said he had hoped the Tourism Minister would have given a statement to the House on the current position.

He added he had heard all sorts of excuses about the difficulties in having a cruise ship.

One excuse was that the town could not accommodate up to 1,400 cruise ship passengers.

But this was not true -- St. George's could accommodate that number.

Mr. Smith said he had to tred carefully on the issue, and wanted to avoid being labelled a "troublemaker'' by his own party.

But he stressed his responsibility was to represent his constituents.

Mr. Smith also questioned whether the Mayor of St. George's the Wor. Henry Hayward, who voiced opposition to Carnival Cruise Lines' Tropicale as a suitable ship, had a conflict of interest over the issue.

He suggested Mr. Hayward, president of Meyer Agencies, which acts as agents for most of the cruise business in Bermuda, should not take part in negotiations.

It was important for Mr. Hayward to be seen to be above board.

Mr. Smith said St. George's merchants felt quite comfortable with the Tropicale .

"They feel it would be ideal for St. George's.'' Mr. Smith also expressed backing for shipping agent Mr. Llewellyn Peniston.

He said St. George's people were grateful to Mr. Peniston for giving the town a cruise ship 10 years ago.

Shadow Education Minister Miss Jennifer Smith praised Mr. Smith for his speech.

And she repeated his call for the Premier to make good the Throne Speech promise.

Miss Smith went on to stress the importance of making Bermuda's institutions -- like the National Trust -- truly representative of the Island's population.

It was important to address the perception blacks were shut out from these institutions.

"We should make sure every effort is made to make ordinary Bermudians feel welcome.'' Miss Smith continued by underlining the need for nursery school regulations.

And she called for recognition of the difference between child care, day care, and pre-school care.

Finance Minister the Hon. David Saul sought to shoot down accusations of overspending over the Airport project.

Costs had increased because the job specification had broadened, he stressed.

The project was carried out in phases, and thus the incremental cost increased.

Taking a swipe at Mr. Simmons, Dr. Saul said Government had had a responsibility for the St. George's Club.

It was governed by Timeshare legislation, and the club was under Government jurisdiction.

Mr. Simmons was wrong to equate the St. George's Club situation with that of Somerset Bridge.

Dr. Saul went on to highlight the relative ease of getting pedlar's licences.

Those who wish to sell snowballs are free to do so, although they are subject to the laws of the land.

Environment Minister the Hon. Gerald Simons said Mr. Hall had been "ill-advised'' to compare the Trust meeting to a meeting in South Africa.

He stressed there were several blacks at the meeting, and the number had increased over the years.

Government Whip Dr. David Dyer poked fun at the PLP for the party leader Mr.

Freddie Wade's claim there was no democracy in Bermuda.

And he ridiculed the party's reported desire to have $125,000 salaries for cabinet ministers.

There was no use the PLP trying to get "this monkey on its back''.

Bermudians would see through the "smoke and mirrors'' put up by the Opposition.

Shadow Finance Minister Mr. Eugene Cox said the UBP must be getting desperate about its election chances for touting the $125,000 figures, which were totally wrong.

Mr. Cox also suggested Government had been lobbied by businesses worried about the impact of street vendors.

This was why Government was seeking to make life difficult for pedlars.

Mr. Cox continued by calling for a feasibility study for an emergency fund for unemployment insurance.

The need had been highlighted by the problems facing Fidelity International.

Mr. Eugene Blakeney (PLP) called for UBP members to reveal their salaries from work outside Parliament.

He said many of them were millionaires and didn't need a big ministerial salary.

Mr. Blakeney also said the UBP was served by a civil service, unlike the PLP.

He promised to note with interest how the UBP fared when it was in opposition.

The Premier the Hon. Sir John Swan said the PLP's desire to beef up ministers' salaries revealed a hidden agenda.

On Mr. Wade's claim Bermuda was not a democracy, Sir John was scathing. He said Bermudians were much more fortunate than many other countries, having a greater access to information so vital in a democracy.

Sir John also stressed how Bermuda was emerging from a recession, and was rebuilding its confidence.

The UBP should take credit for its management of the Country.

On institutional racism, Sir John said Government recognised its existence.

It was now for the PLP to join in a communal effort to eradicate it.

Sir John accused the PLP of bolting now that institutional racism had been put on the agenda.