Bermuda cannot use the ocean as a dumping ground, Shadow Environment minister Leon (Jimmy) Williams warned yesterday.

Mr. Williams said: "The days of using the ocean as a garbage pail are over -- and we cannot, as a tourist destination, afford the negative publicity overseas if Bermuda uses the sea as a dumping ground.'' He added that the US Navy had buried asbestos on the Base lands and said Bermuda could use a landfill solution if the waste was "entombed.'' Mr. Williams was speaking after Environment Minister Pamela Gordon said in a radio interview that she favoured ocean dumping for the tons of asbestos waste stockpiled in steel containers on the Island.

But she stressed that no decision had yet been taken -- and that scientific and legal evidence amassed by Government showed that asbestos was not only safe in the sea but legal as well.

Ms Gordon added that any decision to dump at sea would also have to be approved by Cabinet and Premier David Saul.

But Mr. Williams said: "Dumping at sea is not the best or most environmentally-friendly solution.'' And he quoted scientific opinion which held that asbestos can interfere with the feeding of sea creatures like clams and plankton, and said he was convinced sea dumping was against the London Convention on sea pollution.

He added: "We must also take into consideration the underwater rivers around Bermuda and the Gulf Stream.

"In years to come, when these steel containers break down what will happen then?'' But he added: "If it is entombed, nobody is going to dig up something like that. It's a very poor excuse that Government has given about not seeking a suitable land-based alternative.'' But Ms Gordon said: "I look at the big picture -- if we send the asbestos to another country, we are encumbering not only this generation but future ones because of the cost of transportation and the open-ended insurance policy which would be very expensive.'' And she warned that Bermuda would remain liable for illness caused by asbestos escaping from a foreign land-based dumping ground forever.

She also ruled out a land dump in Bermuda because of the risk of contaminating the massive water lenses under the Island which are tapped for fresh water.

And she added that Britain had already told Government that dumping was legal under the London Convention.

She noted that at a recent meeting of the Convention partners, changes were made to the document to take account of the problems small island communities like Bermuda faced in getting rid of waste like asbestos.

Ms Gordon added: "We could dispose of the asbestos at sea now if we wanted -- but it makes it more clear if we wait for the new Convention. It's tighter and less ambiguous.''