Labour and Home Affairs Minister the Hon. Irving Pearman said yesterday.

But the case will not be dealt with until an application is received, Mr.

Pearman told The Royal Gazette .

The Bermuda Human Rights Alliance has called on Government to ban Banton because of anti-gay song lyrics.

Banton, who is scheduled to appear at a two-day Reggae Sunsplash in Bermuda in August, recorded Boom Bye Bye, which advocates killing homosexual men.

Earlier this year, the same gay and lesbian rights group called on Government to refuse a permit to reggae star Shabba Ranks, who first said he agreed with the sentiments in Boom Bye Bye, but later backed off.

Government issued a permit to Shabba Ranks, but an application from Banton could be handled differently, Mr. Pearman said.

"Shabba Ranks allegedly supported, then moved away, then supported again what this man has allegedly said,'' the Minister said. "This man himself has apparently said it.

"It could be quite different.'' In any case, no application has been received, he said. Performers should apply two to three weeks in advance of a concert date, but sometimes "we work within days to try to accommodate people,'' he said.