the post today, The Royal Gazette has learned.

Mr. Brock, who took over as the head of the NDC from Alastair Macdonald on July 21, 1994, confirmed the news when contacted at the weekend.

He said he made the decision to leave the NDC because he expected to be appointed chairman of a very large and important organisation in April -- which he declined to name.

Mr. Brock, who is also the chairman of the Bermuda Monetary Authority, said while he felt he could handle the workload associated with two chairmanships, three would be too time consuming.

This coupled with the desire to spend more time with his three grandchildren, who live in the US, had helped him make his decision, he said.

Mr. Brock, a former educator and banker, was a member of the Island's first national drugs commission in 1966. He also headed then-Premier John Swan's Commission on Competitiveness which was completed in March, 1994.

Dr. David Archibald recommended the creation of the NDC in his 1985 report.

Mr. Brock said he had no idea who would replace him as the NDC general in the war against drugs.

Education Minister Jerome Dill, who will make the appointment, confirmed a candidate was in the wings -- but declined to name him.

But he added that Mr. Brock would stay on as chairman "for a couple of weeks'' until the successor is named.

Mr. Dill said: "Mr. Brock has made a tremendous contribution in the war on drugs in Bermuda and we wish him well.

"We are grateful for the very good work which has been done and it's an indication of just how dedicated he is that he is prepared to stay on in the transition period.'' More on NDC, Page 3