Questions were raised yesterday over the motivation behind full-page advertisements placed in the local press by Government thanking residents for their support.

UBP Senator Kim Swan said he had some concerns about the advertisements placed by both the Transport and Tourism ministries and claimed they did little more than promote the Ministers.

During a debate in the Senate, he said as Bermuda entered another election season, Government should be prudent with the public purse, and instead raise cash through the Progressive Labour Party branches to pay for promotional material.

"Certainly, people looking at those ads could deem that those controversial ministers need all the help they can get during this election season," said Sen. Swan.

"Fiscal prudence still remains on the agenda and they should draw the line between promoting their Ministers and the people's business."

Sen. Swan was referring to full-page adverts placed in the press that thanked both members of the tourism industry and passengers of the new Rockaway ferry for their support.

He said he also believed the $35,000 beach party thrown two weeks ago for 1,000 staff and their families to celebrate Bermuda International Airport's competition success was politically motivated.

He added: "There were those who felt that certainly more fiscal prudence should be used and it (the party) became a political topic."

The Opposition Senator said he was also concerned by the letter that appeared in The Royal Gazette following the furore of the Airport Appreciation Day, which had been written by airport General Manager James Howes to support the event.

Sen. Swan said he had concerns over the letter because he felt all civil servants should stay neutral and refrain from getting involved in political issues.

He said: "There were political issues raised and I am sure the Minister is able to defend himself."

Government Senator Michael Scott responded to the concerns over Mr. Howes letter and said that sometimes it was necessary for Permanent Secretaries and civil servants to defend their Ministers and make clarifications.

Last night, Transport Minister Dr. Ewart Brown said he made no excuses for either the Airport Appreciation Day or the advertisements thanking passengers of the Rockaway ferry.

He said: "I'm prepared to let the people decide. Everything a sensible Government does should help them to be re-elected.

"Every good thing that it does should help it to be re-elected, so he's maybe right. But it was not done because of that.

"The airport was ranked highly and I don't think it was even ranked under the previous Government."

The Minister said "absolutely" that both the fast ferry passengers and the airport workers simply deserved to be thanked.

Senate coverage continues on Page 5