Minister for Works and Engineering Alex Scott last night distanced himself from the sentiments of his colleague Minister Renee Webb over the comments she made in Parliament favouring black-owned businesses.

He said Ms Webb had not been speaking on behalf of Government, but merely herself, when she said she wanted "people who looked like her" to be awarded public contracts and business.

And when told that construction companies were now asking for clarification on Government's tendering process, he said: "They know it well and clear. Colour is not part of it."

Mr. Scott said he told the House of Assembly on Friday, after Ms Webb spoke, that Pro-Active Management Systems Ltd were awarded the Berkeley contract "fairly and squarely".

He said last night: "They did not get it because they were black. Minister Webb is not the spokesman for Works and Engineering. She said that was her approach. She was not speaking for me.

"We have a tendering process and we follow it judiciously. Pro-Active won the bid because they were the most responsive. They came in right on the numbers."

But last night, Tourism and Telecommunications Minister Renee Webb said she was speaking for Government when she said she wanted to see more black people share in the wealth of the economy.

"I was speaking for Government when I said we are favouring those who have not been the beneficiary in the past, whether they be Portuguese, women, or blacks," said Ms Webb.

"There are a lot of people who have never benefited from the economy and we need to move towards broadening those that benefit, not just the few.

"All Governments should shift the economic paradigm. In this case its blacks. Blacks don't even own five percent of this Island. Blacks own their homes, but when it comes to business we have a long way to go.

"There is nothing wrong with wanting to make sure that people want to feel a part of the process."