The Minister of Works and Engineering and Housing has issued a statement in response to an article in Friday's Mid Ocean News concerning Bermuda Housing Trust Chairman Ronald Simmons.

Ashfield DeVent said he was very disappointed with the "erroneous information" contained in the article as it related to Mr. Simmons' travel arrangements.

Mr. Devent was accompanied to Canada by the Permanent Secretary of Works and Engineering and Housing, Russell Wade, the Bermuda Housing General Manager, Vance Campbell, Andrew Swan of Bermuda Land Development and Mr. Simmons.

He said what was incorrect in the report was that the Government paid for the cost of Mr. Simmons' travel.

"This is totally untrue, Government did not pay the cost and it would be remiss of me to allow this flawed article to go undisputed," he said.