Immigration Minister Derrick Burgess yesterday pledged normal practice would be followed in the appointment of a lab manager for Bermuda's new adult stem cell clinic.

Mr. Burgess insisted California-based Stemedica's decision to advertise overseas before in Bermuda for the Brown-Darrell Clinic post was not unusual.

Immigration's website states: "Generally, where a work permit, including a periodic work permit, is being applied for, the job must be advertised three times in one or more of the local newspapers."

Last week, The Royal Gazette reported California-based Stemedica had advertised the job — to begin on or before December 1 — on Canadian and UK websites but not locally.

Responding, Premier Ewart Brown — who is in partnership for the scheme with wife Wanda and Stemedica — claimed Brown-Darrell was a "different thing" to Stemedica and that Brown-Darrell would advertise in Bermuda in due course.

Dr. Brown said the local candidate selected by Brown-Darrell would then be compared with the candidate chosen by Stemedica.

When asked how this could be done — and a work permit granted — in time to begin on or before December 1, the Premier said: "Nothing in the Stemedica has said that the advertised job would begin in Bermuda by December 1, and it will not."

The advert had stated: "The job will be conducted from the Brown-Darrell Clinic, a world class research facility located in Smith's Parish, Bermuda."

It continued: "Position is to begin on or before December 1, 2007, and requires full-time residency in Bermuda."

When asked why an advert had not been placed in Bermuda before Canada or the UK given that under Immigration rules the first opportunity to fill the post should be given to any qualified Bermudian to apply for the job, the Premier failed to reply.

This newspaper first asked Mr. Burgess for a comment on the subject on Tuesday last week but received no response until yesterday, when he said in a statement: "Let me set the record straight, as I did during a speech that I made at Francis Patton Primary School last Thursday evening."

"It is a regular occurrence — and has been for many, many years — for employers to advertise overseas for prospective staff before local advertising takes place. Stemedica has broken no Immigration rule in this regard.

"The people of Bermuda may be assured that normal Immigration policies and practices will obtain in the case of the lab manager for Stemedica.

"Quite frankly, I am appalled that there is so much speculation about this work permit, particularly so since no applications have been submitted to the Minister for consideration."

Yesterday, The Royal Gazette asked the Ministry for a comment on how the overseas adverts could say the job was to begin on or before December 1, which would have given no time for it to be advertised locally; and what would happen to the successful overseas appointment after a qualified local candidate later applied for the same post when it is advertised in Bermuda. The Ministry did not respond.

Last week, Shadow Immigration Minister Trevor Moniz accused Stemedica of ignoring regulations which ensure Bermudians come first for job opportunities.

In recent weeks, international doctors have commented about Bermuda's lack of stem cell legislations, with International Society for Stem Cell Research president George Daley saying he was very sceptical of anyone running experimental treatment in jurisdictions where there is no regulatory oversight.

The Brown-Darrell Clinic, due to open in the New Year, has said it would welcome and encourage legislation consistent with the international protocol practised by countries engaged in stem cell research.

However, it has repeatedly failed to respond when asked if it will postpone its opening until such legislation is in place.