forbidding them to do so, an office employee has charged.

And he claims that co-workers who have complained about flagrant disregard of the policy have been ordered to keep quiet.

The allegations, however, have been flatly denied by Director of Tourism, Mr.

Gary Phillips In a letter to The Royal Gazette , copied to Premier the Hon. Sir John Swan and Tourism Minister the Hon. C.V. (Jim) Woolridge, the anonymous writer says a petition signed by angry staff has been sent to acting Cabinet Secretary, Mr. Leo Mills.

"It is to be noted that the said policy (enacted at the beginning of the year) is already several months old, and is still being ignored by senior members of the Department of Tourism, including the director,'' the person wrote.

"The petition has now been brought to the attention of the offenders with the result that the petitioners were summoned to a meeting by the Director of Tourism (Mr. Gary Phillips) and instructed (threatened) not to pursue the matter as it would jeopardise their further employment.'' Mr. Phillips yesterday denied the accusations. "My staff have communicated with (Mr. Mills) and said that at no time at any meeting did the Director of Tourism threaten anyone,'' he said. "It's completely and utterly fallacious.'' In a letter to Mr. Mills, the department's senior executive staff confirmed Mr. Phillips' statement.

"The meeting ... took place on Monday morning, July 6,'' they said. "We wish to state categorically that at no time during the entire meeting did the Director of Tourism instruct or threaten anyone in attendance ... On the contrary, the Director confirmed to the staff their right to express their concerns by way of petition to the Secretary to the Cabinet.'' Mr. Mills said he had received complaints about persons smoking in the offices. But, as the letters received by the Premier and the Tourism Minister were unsigned, there was little more he could do.

"There was a petition forwarded to me by members of staff complaining that four of the senior members in the office were smoking,'' he said. "I've again been advised that the matter has been resolved to the extent that the smokers have opted to leave the building if and when they choose to smoke.

"I've been in touch with the Minister and ... been advised that no threats were made. I'm certainly satisfied on that basis. As the matter stands, I consider it dealt with.''