A story in the Monday's edition of The Royal Gazette incorrectly reported that Transport Minister Wayne Furbert told the House of Assembly the Windjammer Gallery was planning to operate a concession at the Bermuda International Airport.

In fact Mr. Furbert said the gallery has only been recommended by a committee vetting proposals. He later acknowledged the gallery had withdrawn its proposal.

Minister of Transport Wayne Furbert yesterday moved to "clear up the erroneous impression conveyed in Saturday's edition of The Royal Gazette , to the effect that a decision has already been made to grant Grape Bay Ltd. a lease to operate McDonald's at the airport.'' But rebel UBP MP Trevor Moniz said Government was merely scrambling in damage-control mode: "I think he (Mr. Furbert) inadvertantly said the truth and now they're backing away from it,'' he last night told The Royal Gazette .

At issue is the meaning of a Ministerial statement read to the House of Assembly on Friday morning, informing MPs five bids to operate retail outlets at the airport had been recommended to Government, including one from Grape Bay Ltd. doing buisness as McDonald's to operate a food and beverage outlet.

But in a statement delivered to The Royal Gazette Mr. Furbert wrote: "Where as Government has accepted four of the five recommendations... it has made no decision on the food and beverage concession.'' What follows is the text of Mr. Furbert's original statement pertaining to Grape Bay Ltd.: "After careful consideration six retailers have been recommended to open (five) conces- Govt. backtracking, Moniz claims sions at the airport and include. ..Goslings; Airport Shops Ltd. and Windjammer Gallery; Bermuda Aviation Services; Robin Gilbert... "In the category of food and beverage only one company applied which was Grape Bay Ltd. doing business as McDonald's. After careful consideration by the committee Grape Bay Ltd. has been recommended.

"These retailers represent an excellent mix for an airport environment...In accordance with the Civil Airports Act 1949, we are now prepared to lay on the table of both Houses of the Legislature, lease agreements for the retailers recommended in the concession categories I've outlined.

"In the case of the lease agreement affecting the food and beverage concession, it is the Government's intention to lay that lease after the House has had a full debate on the franchise committee report, as the report could necessitate some changes being made to that specific lease.

"As soon as the legislative process affecting the first four leases is satisfied, construction will proceed rapidly on the concession areas. Our goal is to have them open for business in May, 1997.

"The fifth lease, for food and beverage, will be laid before the Legislature in due course.''