lottery.

United Bermuda Party backbencher Mr. Trevor Moniz recently suggested the idea be revisited as a way of raising revenue to cover the cost of the US Bases takeover.

At the UBP's conference on Saturday, Finance Minister the Hon. David Saul backed the idea, while Tourism Minister the Hon. C.V. (Jim) Woolridge opposed it.

Stressing he was speaking personally and not as Finance Minister, Dr. Saul said he did not think there was "much to choose'' between bingo, football pools, and a lottery.

"I do believe most Bermudians would say, `Sure, why not?'. It's a hell of a lot of fun, and if you could also tap the tourists, then a sporting facility, recreation, and some Christian churches could benefit.'' Dr. Saul drew applause from the audience when he said: "It needs to be revisited.'' Mr. Woolridge expressed the opposing view. He said he used the seven churches in his constituency of Smith's South as "a barometer'' of public opinion.

"They've all categorically expressed the view that we should not venture into that until we've tried every other option,'' he said.

Mr. Woolridge said that if Dr. Saul felt a lottery was the only way to go, "I can compromise'', but reminded the UBP that it was support from most of the major churches that had helped keep it in power.