Opposition appeals for a full public inquiry over what they have dubbed Pitcher-gate seem to have fallen on deaf ears after Health Minister Nelson Bascome doubted the need for it.

Mr. Bascome invited residents who fear their properties could have been contaminated by the asbestos released when Arthur Pitcher's men took it away in uncovered trucks from the Southside site to forward information to his ministry.

But he would not commit himself to a full public inquiry.

He said: "It depends. I will ask those businesses concerned to forward information to the office.

"I am not going to spend a whole pile of money on what I know is a dead issue.

"I need to look at the terms of reference, what a public inquiry entails...if it needs setting up a board and paying people to take time off. I am not going to go that far.'' But he said a full report would be made to the House after all those involved has sent in submissions.

He said: "I invite the public to send in information about serious concerns they feel. I will provide all the information that is gathered.

"Some guy said there was particles of dust on his lawn. He should refer this to my office, I can make sure it's not as a result of the demolition of the old military primary school.

"The Opposition are trying to get a full public inquiry - I will provide a full report to Parliament and open it to the floor of the House for the perusal of members. I will provide all the information necessary to everyone.'' Opposition Health spokeswoman Kim Young implored the Minister not to "sweep the asbestos'' under the carpet and said a simple report to the House was not good enough.

She said: "The Minister has acknowledged there was a health risk associated with the removal of asbestos in Texas Road, St. David's.

"There should be no risk at all when a Quango is involved such as the Bermuda Housing Corporation and there is a Member of Parliament involved.

Mrs. Young said the spirit of the law hadn't been followed and that the $160,000 spent on removing the asbestos indicates there was a lot there.

"We need a public inquiry to find out if the people of St. David's have been put a risk and if so what are we going to do about it.

She said a simple Parliamentary report would be useless for people who might not find out they had been contaminated until years down the line.

"We need the absolute facts so in 20 years time they can say they were exposed to asbestos when they knocked down those houses at Southside.'' This would allow any victims to then charge the Government for health costs, said Mrs. Young.

"When we have claims of a health hazard to a large group of people, we still need the Minister of Health to come out and refute these claims with hard facts, copies of permits, asbestos reports, photographs and this can only be achieved by a full independent inquiry into these claims.'' "So the employees and the construction firm involved and the people of St.

David's don't have any anxiety for the next 20 years wondering if they were contaminated.

"This is in the public interest. People's health must come before money, before expediency and before politics.

"A public inquiry will do this.'' HOUSING HSG