Transport Minister Dr. Ewart Brown has defended the practice of giving members of the Government free reserved airport parking space.

Wednesday's The Royal Gazette featured a front-page photo of a sign marking the parking for the cars GP1 to GP20 only.

Dr. Brown said there were only three spaces set aside for Government vehicles and the practice had been going on for nearly 13 years, long before the Progressive Labour Party were elected.

He said: "The signage however is new, and is part of the Ministry of Transport's continuing initiative to modernise the Bermuda International Airport."

He said around 24 new signs had been put up and the Ministry was also doing resurfacing work.The bays for ministers are opposite the Police station.

Dr. Brown said: "At any given time when a Minister or Government official is away on business these are the bays that are used.

"The vehicles are then picked up by employees of the Ministry of Works and Engineering, taken to the Government quarry for security purposes and then returned to the airport on the date a Minister or Government official is expected to arrive back on the island."

He said every airport he was familiar with had reserved parking for Government officials.