over his Parliamentary statement on Airport concessions.

The criticism was fired by Opposition Leader Jennifer Smith in the House of Assembly, shortly after MPs had wrapped up the Throne Speech debate in the early hours of Saturday.

She said Mr. Furbert's statement to the House on November 15 contradicted comments he later made to the media.

The statement informed MPs five bids to operate retail outlets at the airport had been recommended to Government, including one from Grape Bay Ltd. doing business as McDonald's to operate a food and beverage outlet.

"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.'' The statement added: "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.'' Later, Mr. Furbert backtracked by telling The Royal Gazette one other party had approached the selection committee over the food and beverage concession.

And in a later statement to The Royal Gazette he said: "Where as Government has accepted four of the five recommendations..., it has made no decision on the food and beverage concession.'' During the House of Assembly's motion to adjourn debate Ms Smith took Mr.

Furbert to task.

She said Mr. Furbert had only made one statement to the House -- and several contradictory ones to the media.

Any discussion on the issue in the House would have to be based on Mr.

Furbert's Ministerial statement.

"I did expect the Minister to take advantage of the Throne Speech debate to set the matter straight,'' she said.

RESTAURANT EAT