Premier Ewart Brown accused the United Bermuda Party of making the Aircraft Registry a "political football" and said it made "irresponsible and careless attacks".

Speaking in the House of Assembly last Friday on his recent trip to Russia, Dr. Brown, who is also Tourism and Transport Minister, said: "As the duly elected representatives of the people, we have an obligation to protect our economy and Bermudian jobs.

"When it comes to our economy and when it comes to Bermudian jobs we have an obligation to be a part of the solution and not a part of the problem.

"While Her Majesty's loyal Opposition has done their best to make the Aircraft Registry a political football our Government remains focused on the real issues facing our people.

He continued: "In their efforts to discredit the Government they have run a real risk of undermining our ability to save the Air Registry."

Dr. Brown also provided the House with an update on the trip and said it was planned "months ago".

"We began by meeting with Bureau Veritas, a global organisation headquartered in France with an aerospace division in Moscow. Honourable Members should be aware that Bermuda's Department of Civil Aviation contracts BV to conduct airworthiness oversight of Bermuda registered aircraft operating in Russia as well as aircraft maintenance facilities.

"This meeting provided us with an opportunity to be updated on the Russian aviation market and to prepare for meetings with the airlines and the Russian Civil Aviation Authority."

Dr. Brown said the registry is made up mainly of clients who choose to be on the Register, and could one day choose not to be.

"Therefore we must strike a balance between full-time employees and contractors so that if the Register were to decrease we are not put in the situation of downsizing the staff", he added.

Former United Bermuda Party leader Grant Gibbons questioned how Government had allowed resources to become stretched due to the growth of the aircraft registry.

Dr. Brown said it was only an audit that had brought the staff shortage to Government's attention. "We were operating fine," he said. "Someone said there was a problem – they recommended more people."

Dr. Gibbons asked whether the staffing changes, including outsourcing, bring Bermuda into compliance with recommended levels.

Dr. Brown responded: "We are in compliance, but we are not at maximum staffing levels, but we are taking steps to do that. Bermuda Aircraft Registry is in good condition and doing the work it's supposed to do."