Progressive Labour Party political activist Rolfe Commissiong believes a moral case can be made for "positive discrimination" in the awarding of Government contracts.

And he has praised Bermuda Cement Company president Jim Butterfield's suggestion that 25 percent of BCC's shares could be made available to new investors.

Mr. Commissiong said a positive discrimination policy put in for a set number of years would take the sting out of contract changes as everyone would know the rules.

"That's the hard approach. A soft approach, which would still meet the goals, would be to ensure that companies doing the bidding have a diverse ownership that's reflective of the Bermuda we have today.

"Ironically that is what Jim Butterfield has alluded to. He doesn't say black but he is setting aside 25 percent of the company for new shareholders. It's more palatable politically."

He said privilege was not easily challenged and would defend its position.

"We cannot be held hostage to that. Black economic empowerment is never about taking anything from whites."

There was a moral case which could be made for positive discrimination in Government contracts said Mr. Commissiong, adding: "Government spends at least $500 million on goods and services locally."

Positive discrimination for black-owned contractors for Government services should be phased in gradually, starting at ten percent, said Mr. Commissiong.

"Ultimately the bulk of Government contracts should go to companies who have at the very least shareholders who have a diversity of ownership."

He said wages and salaries for blacks had increased but there was still a wide gap between the races in equity in companies.

Positive discrimination could be phased out once it had evened up the wealth gap said Mr. Commissiong but that could take at least 20 to 25 years.

He said white companies would still have free rein to bid for private contracts without race quotas and he pointed out that Mr. Butterfield did very well with his wholesale import business.

"We are talking about an area in which Government can be a real facilitator to enable the achievement of social good.

"Ultimately this is good not just for black companies but for blacks and whites ? for the country. It takes away another bone of contention from the table of resentment of black Bermudians."

Newspaper columnist Tom Vesey said he was not opposed to affirmative action.

"It's got to be properly managed like any other government programme ? publicly discussed and debated with the pros weighed against the cons.

"In some cases it's worthwhile, in some cases it would be stupid."

An affirmative action policy should only be used to tackle glaring disparities in important sectors where other methods had not worked, Mr. Vesey said.