second head-to-head meeting with an international leader in a month.

The Hon. Sir John Swan will also have talks with UK Foreign Secretary Douglas Hurd, and other Government officials.

And during his London trip he plans to discuss the future of the US Naval Air Station.

He hopes to win Britain's support in delaying the wind-down of the Base.

Sir John said yesterday: "There is a great deal of careful negotiation which must take place.'' The trip follows last month's meeting with US President Bill Clinton during a two-day stay in Washington.

Then, Sir John had a nine-minute talk in the Oval Office, hoping to win direct relations with the Clinton administration.

Controversy erupted over the meeting amid accusations it had been kept secret from the Opposition and the public.

Sir John's visit to London has been well publicised.

But news of it was greeted with scepticism yesterday by Opposition leader Mr.

Frederick Wade.

He feared Sir John would use the trip for a pre-election "photo opportunity'' while grandstanding on the international stage.

Mr. Wade hoped, however, the Premier could win Britain's authority to negotiate with America directly over the Base.

"We need to have that power,'' he said.

National Liberal Party leader Mr. Gilbert Darrell was also hopeful of concrete achievements.

He urged Sir John to fight for UK approval for Bermuda to negotiate with airlines for direct flights from Europe.

At present British Airways was against such competition, claimed Mr. Darrell.

The Premier travels to Britain on Tuesday, and will meet John Major the next day at 10.45 a.m.

The head-to-head will be at 10 Downing Street -- the UK Prime Minister's official residence.

Accompanying Sir John will be Mr. Leo Mills, Secretary to the Cabinet.

Yesterday Sir John said a number of issues were on the agenda.

But at the top were ways the British and Bermuda Governments could work together to delay military cutbacks at the USNAS.

Sir John said Bermuda's diplomatic contacts in Washington and Whitehall would be "most helpful in the process''.

Constitutionally, Britain was responsible for Bermuda's foreign affairs, Sir John pointed out.

And while the UK had agreed to Bermuda taking a prominent role in negotiations, he anticipated Britain would provide a "great deal of meaningful assistance''.

Doubts over the future over the Base grew last month when US General Colin Powell, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, warned of severe cash constraints at the White House.

He told Sir John during a 30-minute talk at the Pentagon that closure of the Base could not be ruled out.

The Bermuda Government seems reconciled to the fact that the Base's future is limited.

Nevertheless, Sir John said he was looking forward to the visit with "cautious optimism''.

He added he would make a statement on returning at the end of next week.

Mr. Wade said his first reaction to news of Sir John's visit was that it was a Government election ploy.

"It is a photo opportunity, and unfortunately that is how I think he will use it.'' Mr. Wade, however, said Sir John could give the trip a "meaningful'' purpose.

"What we have to do is get the power from the UK Government to negotiate with the Clinton administration about the wind-down and eventual closure of the bases in Bermuda.'' British Prime Minister John Major.