The fate of two Cabinet Ministers named in connection with the Bermuda Housing Corporation (BHC) scandal is still unclear as The Royal Gazette was told the Premier has yet to meet with all the parties involved.

The Premier said she would be meeting with both Health Minister Nelson Bascome and Transport Minister Dr. Ewart Brown after sacked BHC general manager Raymonde Dill launched serious allegations against both men in Bermuda Sun two weeks ago.

Mr. Dill claimed that Mr. Bascome told him to give a $300,000 landscaping contract to Island Construction, in breach of BHC rules, even though the company did not tender for the work.

Mr. Bascome strongly refuted Mr. Dill's version of events on Wednesday, however, saying he had not been involved in any activity which could be deemed improper or illegal and, in fact, had no authority over contracts at the Government quango.

While Mr. Bascome has met with the Premier on the matter, he declined to speak to the nature of their conversation yesterday.

"That is between the Premier and myself," he told The Royal Gazette. "If she has a statement to make, she'll make that statement. I don't want to put words in her mouth. That is something she will do. My conscience is clear."

Mr. Dill also claimed work at BHC's Southside site was held up because Dr. Brown, who engaged Bermuda Composite Construction (BCC) to work on his house, had not paid the company.

Dr. Brown said he withheld payment because of excessive charges and the matter was in the hands of his lawyers.

Fellow Cabinet Minister Alex Scott told The Royal Gazette this he believed the Premier - who is off the Island - has not yet had the opportunity to discuss Mr. Dill's allegations with Dr. Brown.

Mr. Scott said she will be making a statement, however, when she has spoken to all Government MPs who were names - Dr. Brown and Mr. Bascome as well as backbenchers Arthur Hodgson and Arthur Pitcher.

"I understand there has been a conversation with Mr. Bascome but I don't know if the Premier has had the same opportunity with Dr. Brown or the others mentioned," he said.

But yesterday, Opposition leader Dr. Grant Gibbons said the delay is unacceptable and the Premier must come out and tell the public what will be done.

Dr. Gibbons said Mr. Bascome's explanation - which contradicts Mr. Dill's claims - raised more questions than answers.

"We are still waiting from the Premier to hear what she will do about this," said Dr Gibbons.

"By not dealing with it quickly at the first sign of ministerial misconduct, the Premier has reinforced the serious concerns about her own leadership and the integrity of this PLP government.

"The public should be reminded that in March when the allegations were made about the management at BHC, Mr. Bascome said heads would roll and the Government would not tolerate any illegal activity.

"Mr. Dill and the chief financial officer were suspended pending the Auditor's investigation and Mr. Dill was later terminated along with a property officer (Terrence Smith).

"Now with the allegations made in the Sun, Mr. Bascome finds himself in the same situation as Mr. Dill did some months ago and it seems to have come full circle.

"Surely what was seen to be proper for Mr. Dill should also apply to Mr. Bascome and Dr. Brown given the seniority of their positions and the need to salvage some credibility for this government."

The Royal Gazette has been asking the Premier, through Government Information Services (GIS), since Monday what she intends to do with the ministers, but has not received a response.