THE EDITOR, Sir:

Senator A.J. Nicholson, former attorney general, has written in The Sunday Gleaner, October 12, about the recent horrible crimes against children, stating the Honourable Olivia Grange, minister of information, culture, youth and sports, has been "fiddling while the prospects of so many of our children remain in peril". He expressed dissatisfaction with Minister Grange's statement to the media last week that " ... the abuses that are taking place in the country - incest, carnal abuse, rape, abduction and killings - are becoming all too frequent and we must commit ourselves to take a concerted stand for the elimination of all forms of violence, but especially against our children".

In criticsing the minister, Senator Nicholson, unfortunately, ignores the fact that although youth is one aspect of her ministry's respon-sibilities, the care and protection of children do not fall under Minister Grange, but rest primarily with the Ministry of Health, as well as with the children's advocate who reports directly to Parliament. It was Minister Grange's concern as a woman and mother, as well as her responsibility for Youth develop-ment that led her to speak out on the frightening increase in violence against children.

Processing of the bill

Senator Nicholson states that the Leader of the Opposition was seeking to accelerate the process by tabling a bill last July that she proposed could strengthen the hand of the security forces and the stakeholder agencies to fight crimes such as these. Minister Grange wisely has left this matter to the national security minister, who is currently trying to have three Crime Prevention bills passed in Parliament. The question could be asked, is the Opposition dragging its feet and preventing this urgent legislation from being passed, despite having agreed on the major points at the Vale Royal talks?

While in opposition, Minister Grange played a pivotal role in a joint select committee of Parlia-ment established to consider and report on two bills: An Act to Amend the Offences Against the Person Act and An Act to Amend the Incest (Punishment) Act. The minister also advocated for the establishment of a Children's Registry. It is therefore incorrect to state that nothing has been done by Minister Grange concerning these grave offences.

Although it is disappointing that Senator Nicholson seeks to belittle Minister Grange's advocacy for women and children, the minister says she will not reply to him directly as she wishes "not to engage in what might be seen as a political tussle with the opposition senator over the matter of child abuse which is too serious and tragic a matter to be subjected to political games".

In the circumstance, as the minister's communication officer and director of media relations in the ministry, it is my duty, by this letter, to set the record straight.

I am, etc.,

GRANVILLE NEWELL

Ministry of Information,

Culture, Youth and Sports