the needy as part of their Share the Spirit programme.

Christmas is just two weeks away and the Lionesses only have enough food to fill 100 of their 300 hampers.

"Donations aren't coming in as they have in the past,'' lamented food drive chairperson Cynthia Bell.

She was hoping to deliver the food to needy families this weekend in time for Christmas.

"Normally we receive a lot of help from the schools, but we haven't had a big response (this year),'' she said.

"If people could place food in the bins before Friday it would be a big help.'' The Lionesses are asking people to donate canned and non-perishable items. The food can be dropped off at any MarketPlace location.

"Considering the late date we are also willing to pick up any special donations,'' she said.

For more information call Mrs. Bell on 234-3465 or 237-6617.

Mr. Hall said: "I got the impression that a cut-off date is being considered, but nothing would be done until consultation with interested parties takes place.

"As far as we're concerned, things remain the same as they were during the meeting we had with Government earlier -- that the machines would be allowed to run out their natural lifespan.

"And we understand that the lifespan of these machines would be several years.'' Mr. Hall said he had laid out the importers' legal case to the previous Government, which allowed the machines to be imported and levied Customs duty on them.

He added: "This is real property -- and that gives rise to certain Constitutional rights concerning property.

"This Government is not going to be so silly as to expose itself to a massive bill by putting forward ex post facto (after the fact) legislation.

"That's why they've taken the sensible course of establishing that there will be a moratorium on the further importation of machines and a moratorium -- for what it's worth -- on the importation of parts, because parts are a software story and that can be carried out here or sent down the wire.'' But Mr. Hall said: "When the dust settles, the appropriate thing would be to call for a full-blooded commission which would include spokespersons and experts from all relevant areas who would fully examine the issue and present to Government a carefully detailed study.'' Lotteries and gaming fall under the responsibility of the Premier and Cabinet Office.

The Royal Gazette was last night unable to obtain comment on Mr. Hall's suggestions from a Government spokesman.