Disaster planning was at the top of the agenda yesterday as dependent territory Governors met for talks with a British Government Minister.

And the timing was perfect -- as the Bermuda St. John Ambulance Brigade yesterday donated an ambulance to Montserrat, where a volcano has wrought havoc.

Bermuda is hosting Governors from Montserrat, the Cayman Islands, British Virgin Islands, the Turks and Caicos and Anguilla for two days of talks with Sir Nicholas Bonsor, Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs.

Details of the talks were not being released but they involve planning for disasters, management of the Islands, although that does not affect Bermuda which is self-governing, and possibly drugs and money laundering.

Sir Nicholas said yesterday: "We are concerned to make sure British interests are protected and to give the help we can.

"I am not here to bring matters up. I am here to meet the Governors and hear their views about how things are going.'' He added: "Dealing with disasters is on the agenda and with the volcano in Montserrat and the hurricanes of last season we wanted to make sure we can respond adequately and swiftly.

"I am satisfied, but when we get back to Britain we will instigate a review to ensure we can respond efficiently.'' Sir Nicholas said money laundering and drugs were not on the agenda, but he expected they might crop up during discussions.

He added, however, that Bermuda was already doing its part against both drugs and money laundering.

Sir Nicholas' Conservative Government is facing possible defeat in British national elections which must be held by May 22.

But the Minister said he felt that if the Labour Party won the election, Britain's relationship with its dependent territories would not change.

Catastrophes at top of agenda "I can only really judge from the reaction of the Labour Party to our policies and their reaction has not been confrontational,'' he said.

Meetings with the Dependent Territories are held on a regular basis and it is Bermuda's turn to play host.

Turks and Caicos Governor John Kelly is taking part in the talks and returning to Bermuda for the first time since he left following his stint as the Island's Deputy Governor.

He said the Islands were similar to Bermuda and that some Bermudians stood to make money from a $300 million development of the East Caicos, where some Bermudians own land.

Mr. Kelly said tourism and the offshore finance sector were turning the Islands' economy around.

"We are looking at disaster preparedness during the talks as well as the management of the Islands.

"Perhaps there is a greater role for the British Government to play in preparing for and dealing with emergencies,'' said Mr. Kelly.

Other Governors attending include Frank Savage from Montserrat, John Owen from the Cayman Islands, David MacKilligan from the British Virgin Islands and Deputy Governor Bob Harris from Anguilla.

Mr. Savage said Montserrat's economy had suffered badly due to the volcano which has been erupting for more than a year with no sign of stopping soon.

"The Island has not been devastated, it is the economy that has been devastated. We do not know when the volcano will stop, it is the uncertainty that is harmful,'' said Mr. Savage.

He added: "Help from the region, including Bermuda, has been very good and Bermuda's St. John Ambulance has handed over an ambulance which will be enormously helpful.''