Hott 107.5 will not pull the plug on Lt. Col. David Burch?s talk show ? even though he is now the Government?s Housing Minister.

Progressive Labour Party MP and Hott 107.5 president and managing director Glenn Blakeney said he had spoken to Sen Burch and had been assured there would be no conflict of interest between the radio programme and his new political duties.

But the Opposition said that such a situation would have been a breach of the ministerial code of conduct in the UBP?s reign.

Trevor Moniz, Shadow Minister of Telecommunications, referring to Premier Alex Scott?s speech on Thursday night about high ethical standards among ministers, claimed this issue did not paint the PLP in a good light.

A PLP spokesman refused to comment on the question of a possible conflict of interest. But he said Lt. Col. Burch should be applauded, not criticised, for using his private time to keep his ear close to the ground and for listening to the concerns of voters.

In the wake of this week?s Cabinet changes, concerns were raised in some circles about the Minister continuing on the airwaves with his two-hour Sunday night slot.

Some say that if, in his new housing role, Lt. Col. Burch continued to make political points on the ?Bermuda Speaks? programme, as he has on previous occasions, this could test the limits of or even break Bermuda?s broadcasting laws.

The laws indicate a right to reply, allowing dissenting voices to be heard, must accompany any political commentary.

But Mr. Blakeney said issues of balance were being taken into consideration by radio chiefs.

And he told it would be ?business as usual? for Lt. Col. Burch on the radio.

?I?m happy for the show to go ahead, so the colonel can continue the excellent job he has been doing,? said the Hott 107.5 president. ?We have asked for directions and in the event of any problem with the broadcasting act, we would address that accordingly.?

Mr. Blakeney said that during the run-up to elections the station would ?strictly adhere? to sections of legislation that applied to that specific period. ?Provisions would be made within the law as far as that is concerned,? he added.

The president confirmed he had spoken about the radio issue with Bermuda?s newest Senator, who took over as Works and Engineering and Housing Minister after Ashfield DeVent was axed on Tuesday.

He said the Senator was ?quite satisfied? there would be no conflict of interest over his ?hugely popular? show.

?He deals with the issues of the day and he has hosted several informative shows. They have included the Finance Minister and have also informed the general public about the independence issue.?

The Hott 107.5 president said that Lt. Col. Burch?s programme tomorrow would be focussing on the arts in Bermuda, and would include a feature on artist Bill Ming whose work is currently being exhibited at the National Gallery.

But Mr. Moniz said: ?In view of Alex Scott?s speech on Thursday night, we wonder what exactly what high standards are expected of ministers.

?The radio programme is clearly political. He now speaks as a Cabinet member, and in our view it?s going to be very difficult for him not to be political. We are looking for guidance on what standards of conduct, if any, the Premier has for ministers.?

In response, a PLP spokesman told : ?When a Minister decides in his private life as a private citizen to take on a talk show, and listen to the thoughts of the community and present his own views, he is entitled to do so. Many MPs from both sides phone-in to talk shows on a routine basis.?

He backed the Minister for listening to people interested in improving Bermuda.

Lt. Col. Burch was not available for comment. However, he has been reported as saying that most of the topics on his show are not political. But broadcasting during an election period would be a ?real challenge?, added the man famed for his military manner and no-nonsense attitude.