Commons on Wednesday.

During Question Period, Sir Jerry Wiiggin, an under-Secretary of state, drew attention to the presence of the Premier in the gallery.

The notice occurred during an exchange on Foreign Office overseas staff cutbacks.

Bermuda resident and Conservative MP, Mr. Rupert Allason, in a set-up question, asked whether the Government was aware that the Governor of Bermuda served at no cost to the British taxpayer.

Sir Jerry explained the Bermuda Government paid the Governor's salary. He then drew attention to the Premier's presence in the House saying he was "most welcome''.

Later, Mr. George Robinson, a Labour MP who represents Hamilton, Scotland, told the Premier that Parliamentary rules don't allow for MPs to mention people in the gallery.

*** On Wednesday, Premier Swan met Mr. Mark Lennox-Boyd for the first time. Mr.

Lennox-Boyd is the under-secretary of state with responsibility for Bermuda.

He has been in the post for three years and has yet to visit the Island. While waiting outside the Prime Minister's office in 10 Downing Street, Sir John took the opportunity to impress on him the importance of visiting Bermuda.

"You can't have representation if you don't know what you're representing,'' he said.

*** Mr. Lennox-Boyd hosted a luncheon for Premier Swan on Wednesday that underlined the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's still impressive resources and influence.

On short notice, Mr. Lennox-Boyd and his officials rounded up an array of influential businessmen, civil servants and politicians, all with Bermuda connections.

Top of the list was British Airways chairman Sir Colin Marshall, Mr. Henry Keswick, chairman of Jardine Matheson, the Hong Kong-based trading giant that moved its corporate headquarters to Bermuda in 1984 and Mr. James Sherwood, president of Sea Containers Ltd., the Bermuda-based shipping company.

Also present were former Governor Viscount Dunrossil, who still supports the Island as chairman of the Bermuda Society, and former deputy Governor Mr. Mark Herdman, now semi-retired.

Among the politicians was Conservative MP and whip Mr. Neil Baker.

DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS -- Premier the Hon. Sir John Swan with British Foreign Secretary Mr. Douglas Hurd after their talks yesterday.