thanks for the help i've now got it working
i have one last issue..

the code as it stands :

'manually select
Seek_output = backward '1
Evade_output = idle '2
Panic_output = idle '3
settle_output = idle '4

start:

'subsumption
'if x is not in idle mode assign the output from that layer
'if the layer is idle then move to the next..

if Seek_output <> idle then
motor_actuator = Seek_output 'state 1

elseif Evade_output <> idle then
motor_actuator = Evade_output 'state 2

elseif Panic_output <> idle then
motor_actuator = Panic_output 'state 3

elseif settle_output <> idle then
motor_actuator = settle_output 'state 4
end if

' motor case statement only selects with numbers
' need to use text for clarity

gosub motor_control

goto start

motor_control:

select case motor_actuator
case left
portb = %00000001
case right
portb = %00000010
case forward
portb = %00000011
case backward
portb = %00000100
end select
return
now the motor control case statement selects ok when i use numbers but i would much prefer to use text, can anyone help..