Attempts by the Opposition to lambast the Premier over moves to oust the head of the civil service and get Cabinet members to swear allegiance were thwarted in an unprecedented move by the PLPGovernment last night.Education Minister Grant Gibbons rose to his feet at the start of the Motion to Adjourn in the House of Assembly to raise the topics, in what is traditionally a free-style debate for all MPs on the hot topics of the day.However, his attempts to speak on the issues were brought to an abrupt halt when the Progressive Labour Party called for a quorum. That means there have to be at least 14 MPs in the House plus the Speaker in order for an issue to be debated. The UBPcouldn't muster enough members and Dr. Gibbons had to fall silent."It was a clear effort to shut down debate and not face the music, " he complained after the session was adjourned without further debate. "In my 15 years in the House I have never once experienced a Government calling for a quorum on a Motion to Adjourn."However, PLPjunior minister Walter Roban hit back, saying it was up to the Opposition to find enough people if they wanted a debate, and the PLPwere not going to let it happen in the absence of Premier Ewart Brown who had left for the night.Mr. Roban said although he believed it was the first time the PLPGovernment had used the blocking mechanism, the former UBP Government had used it against them in years gone by.The drama began shortly before 9pm when Dr. Gibbons announced he wanted to talk about Major Kenneth Dill, who is currently fighting the Premier's attempts to fire him. Civil servant chiefs have reportedly signed a letter in support of their chief, who was asked by Dr. Brown to retire last week but refused, in what the Opposition claims is a clear case of ministerial bullying. As soon as Dr. Gibbons announced the topic, Mr. Roban called for a quorum. Several members of the PLPbenches promptly exited the chamber, including Dale Butler and Zane DeSilva."They left the chamber so they wouldn't have to debate the issue," lamented the UBP's Cole Simons from his seat, as Speaker Stanley Lowe announced that the UBP had five minutes to find enough people for a quorum and a bell rang. However, frantic scurrying around behind the scenes failed to muster enough people.The clock ran out with five members of the PLP Wayne Perinchief, Glenn Blakeney, Nelson Bascome, Mr. Roban and Dame Jennifer Smith left in their seats. The seven on the United Bermuda Party bench were Charlie Swan, Donte Hunt, Cole Simons, Darius Tucker, Shawn Crockwell, Kim Swan and Dr. Gibbons meaning the 15 needed for a quorum fell short by two, even after the Speaker was added to the head-count."Mr. Speaker, you know what the game is," shouted Mr. Simons in vain, as Mr. Lowe announced that the quorum had not been met and the House stood adjourned.Dr. Gibbons subsequently told The Royal Gazette:"I wanted to talk about three things. First of all the was the Premier's attempt, which was completely out of order, to circumvent the Public Service Commission to remove the head of the civil service. It's very clear in our constitution that the Premier is given no role in the removal of the head of the civil service and was acting ultra-vires (beyond legal power)."Dr. Brown reportedly got members of Cabinet to sign an oath of loyalty to him this week after backbench rebels launched a bit to oust him as party leader.Dr. Gibbons said:"I was going to talk about the issue of the oaths of allegiance which I have been very concerned about. It puts the allegiance of those Cabinet members who signed it and I gather it's not all of them above the interests of the Country. It's a personal allegiance to an individual and certainly that's resulted in the last century in some very serious consequences and I will leave it there."It was also reported during the week that Dr. Brown has ordered communications officers at the Cabinet Office and Ministry of Tourism and Transport to "reduce their contact" with The Royal Gazette and its sister newspaper, the Mid-Ocean News.Dr. Gibbons said this was the third topic he'd wished to address, as he has "great concern" over what he views as moves by the Government to "stifle transparency".He pledged to re-kindle the debate on all three issues during next week's Motion to Adjourn.Speaking for the PLP after the controversial end to the night's business, Junior Minister for Labour, Home Affairs and Housing Mr.Roban said:"It's certainly the responsibility of the Opposition, who had one of their members speaking, to ensure he had the opportunity to speak. They should have had their people here, and we certainly weren't going to let them make allegations about our leader without him present here to answer."Mr. Roban added:"If they're suggesting this is unprecedented that's incorrect. They often did that when we were the Opposition to frustrate our efforts. It's not unprecedented though it is perhaps a first for the PLP as Government doing it."