Arthur Hodgson's Environment Ministry.

Mr. Hodgson this week confirmed Dr. Brown -- a UN award winner for projects in developing countries -- was considering an offer to act as a consultant to the Ministry.

The Minister said: "We have approached him and we're hoping we can recruit him.

"But at this point, it's a bit premature to say anything more than that.'' But he poured cold water on TV claims that Dr. Brown was looking for $200,000 to take up the job.

And he dismissed claims that Civil Servants were uneasy over the appointment of an outside consultant.

Mr. Hodgson said that fees for Dr. Brown would be worked out on a "work done'' basis -- and that the figure of $200,000 had been "plucked out of the air''.

He added details of a cash deal -- if Dr. Brown accepted the job -- had still to be worked out.

But he said: "We are looking at consultancy rates and most of them are by the hour and we will just have to come up with a suitable figure.

"I can say this about him, he is the sort of person that, because of his interest in Bermuda and his nationalism, he wouldn't hit us with the highest rates.

"And we wouldn't want to squeeze him to the lowest rates we could, either.'' And he insisted: "Civil Servants in my department are very excited about the prospect of working with someone like Dr. Brown.'' Mr. Hodgson added that Dr. Brown -- an ecological engineer -- could be used for consultancy work where previously overseas experts had to be called in.

He said: "We have spent millions of dollars on consultants, especially for the Baselands.

"There are a variety of different kinds of impact studies we do and hopefully, if we can persuade Dr. Brown, he'll sign up with us.'' Mr. Hodgson added: "I'm sure there will probably be particular things we will still have to go outside for, but the breadth of Dr. Brown's expertise is such that, as a first-stop shop, he is excellent.'' It is understood Dr. Brown has also been pencilled in to spearhead Mr.

Hodgson's bid to turn what is sometimes regarded as a Cinderella ministry into a major force influencing the policies of other Ministries on the Island.

It is believed inside studies have shown that the Environment portfolio in Bermuda gets proportionally far less cash than similar ministries in other countries.

And it also felt that -- in addition to underfunding -- the Ministry is under-staffed as well, considering the increasing worldwide focus on environment issues and the potentially disastrous consequences of pollution.

Dr. Brown won two spots in the UN's 100 Best Practices list at a major UN conference in Turkey in 1996.