Some 50 people ? practically every key decision maker on the Island ? took part in a simulated terrorism scenario at Government House Wednesday.

Officials involved in the exercise ? described by Government House as a ?command and control? simulation ? included Premier Alex Scott, Governor Sir John Vereker, Public Safety Minister Randolph Horton, acting Cabinet Secretary Kenneth Dill, Director of Communication and Information Beverle Lottimore and top brass from the Bermuda Regiment, Harbour Radio, Fire Service and the Police Service.

Members of the Press were excluded from the event and Government House was not keen on providing too many details on the exercise. Last night a Government House spokesperson would only confirm that the exercise involved a cruise ship ?incident?.

Government held a similar exercise 18 months ago involving a terrorist threat on an aircraft.

?It is sensible to prepare for a range of contingencies,? the spokesperson said. ?We have practised our response to an incident involving an aircraft 18 months ago. Yesterday we practised our response to an incident involving a cruise ship. Every time we do this we build up our confidence and ability to respond effectively.?

All members of the team played their respective roles at Government House. Game controllers played decision makers in London and Washington D.C.

?We?re not complacent about this,? the spokesperson said.

?Bermudians should sleep more firmly knowing that we are at least thinking about these things.?

Premier Alex Scott also was reticent to provide details, saying that it was a Government House initiative and he was reluctant to publicise it without the Governor?s explicit authorisation.

?It was a very effective exercise and it certainly allowed us to experience as best we can the decision-making process in case we were confronted with a challenge along the lines of the scenario,? the Premier said. ?It was a security exercise and I prefer they be the agent of publication. The whole exercise was as far as I can see orchestrated by Government House.?

He added it took place from 9 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and that he was happy to participate in what was a ?most important and worthwhile exercise?. Asked whether he felt the press should know when these exercises are taking place, he said : ?It was not our call and I don?t know if its appropriate for me to comment on the parameters that the architect for that exercise felt comfortable with. It was a process involving Bermuda, the UK, the US ? and in that regard touched upon conceptually foreign affairs as they relate to Bermuda. And, again, that?s not my purview. It?s not my call. Constitutionally, we have to accept the constitutional role and the responsibility of the UK, and the security forces come under Government House.?

The Premier said that his administration works closely with the press, but ?this one we?re not in charge of.?

Under the colonial system that governs Bermuda, Britain has responsibility for foreign affairs and security.