Plans for a regional high-security prison were discussed yesterday during a meeting of the Overseas Territories Consultative Council (OTCC).

Premier Ewart Brown told a press conference that the move is now in its early stages, but being considered.

"We're all concerned about law and order and security," he said. "There was some talk of a regional high-security prison. It's an issue we may take to the UK Government.

"I would imagine if the concept were to go forward, and if interest was expressed by independent countries, it would be entertained."

Yesterday's meeting brought together representatives from four overseas territories Premier McKeeva Bush of the Cayman Islands, Premier Ralph O'Neal and MP Vincent Scatliffe of the British Virgin Islands, Deputy Chief Minister Edison Baird of Anguilla and Charles Kirnon, Montserrat's Minister of Communication, Works and Labour.

The meeting, the first of its kind to be held here, was intended to discuss matters before the OTCC gathers in London at the end of the year.

Dr. Brown called the meeting a success, saying: "We have completed a full and varied agenda, and we are now well prepared for the conference in December."

He added that concern was expressed during the meeting about the scrutiny the UK had given to territories' financial affairs. The Premier said it was a "trend that is viewed cautiously" by members of the OTCC.

Meanwhile, the Premier said the OTCC was "perplexed" by recent UK's comments about Bermuda's Aviation Registry.

Eleven years ago the UK agreed under an "entrustment" to allow Bermuda to run its registry. Dr. Brown has said they have now singled out an agreement between the Bermuda registry and the Russian Aviation Authority as a concern. Under the agreement Bermuda has oversight of certain safety regulations for Russian planes registered here.

He said the UK Department of Transport has decided they find it "hard to accept" Bermuda's ongoing operation of the register. In particular they said they are "not clear" how the relationship between Bermuda and Russia works.

The Premier said the UK has also raised concerns over Bermuda's registry being a "revenue raising business".

The Opposition has claimed the UK's concerns are based on a less than favourable audit of the Department of Civil Aviation by an international organisation.

"We are perplexed by the UK's comments about the Aviation Authority," the Premier said yesterday.

"When we try to raise money, they make it sound as if it not an honourable process. When we don't raise our own money, we are seen as a contingent liability."

Premier O'Neal praised the meeting and Premier Brown, saying: "He is the kind of leader I like. He came in and said 'let's get on with what we have to do'. We now have our homework to do before we go to London."