(Bermuda) -- its last operating division -- to Safeguard Security Services.

It is the final sale in the dismantling of the Purvis group, which until two years ago was among Bermuda's largest businesses.

But a loss of $2.8 million for fiscal 1991 led to a rapid sale of the group's subsidiaries, including wholesaler Purvis Distributors and office furniture supplier Office Equipment.

The Purvis group's workforce has dwindled from 175 people in June, 1991, to just a handful at present.

Mr. Derek Selby, vice president of Purvis, said the holding company would retain the name of Security and Communication Systems and would also keep all its shares for "contractual reasons''.

Once current contractual obligations come to an end, SCS' four staff will be transferred to Safeguard Security Services and SCS will probably be wound up, said Mr. Selby.

"This is the final part to go,'' he said, adding that Purvis was now, in effect, a property owner and management company.

Purvis owns a site on Victoria Street, Hamilton, and has the lease on The Walkway Arcade, in Reid Street.

Asked about if even that side of the business will eventually be sold off, Mr.

Selby said: "Purvis is the mother company and that's not going anywhere.''