fast-food franchise at the International Airport, Premier David Saul yesterday told The Royal Gazette .

"Nothing could be further from the truth,'' he said, moving to dispell questions surrounding an announcement on Friday by Transport Minister Wayne Furbert that Sir John Swan's Grape Bay Ltd. -- "doing business as McDonald's''-- was one of five bids recommended to Government to operate a retail concession at the airport.

"He (Mr. Furbert) must take the leases before the House, but Cabinet has said no, you can only lay four before the House.'' Dr. Saul said final decision on Grape Bay's lease will come only after the House and Cabinet have had a chance to go over Tourism Minister David Dodwell's franchise committee's report, expected to be presented to the House within the next few weeks.

"If the Dodwell report makes it clear no franchises will be allowed, then there's every possibility it (Grape Bay's bid) will not be allowed.'' And changes to the lease could run "the whole gambit'' said the Premier, from asking Grape Bay to tender another proposal to throwing the bid open to the public once again.

But rebel UBP MPs Anne Cartwright DeCouto and Trevor Moniz say Government is merely attempting damage control, a notion described as "nonsense'' by Dr.

Saul.

"It's clear they've awarded the concession to Grape Bay and the Minister has accepted it,'' said Mr. Moniz, who claimed the franchise committee report was a foregone conclusion.

"The report is just part of the plot to let (Sir) John Swan have his McDonald's out at the airport. All they're trying to do is write a script for their ending,'' he said.

Added Mrs. Cartwright DeCouto: "If you read his statement he makes it clear Grape Bay has been accepted. He even goes on to say it's an excellent mix (for retail operations for the airport).

"If you put these comments together with what he's told the electronic media it's as clear as crystal. He's (Mr. Furbert) the Minister and he speaks on behalf of the Government.'' As far as the franchise committee report goes she added: "I have to agree with Trevor (Moniz); they're not looking at whether to allow franchises in, but how.'' Mrs. Cartwright DeCouto -- who is spearheading opposition to fast-food franchises with a Private Members Bill that would outlaw overseas restaurants -- earlier slammed the Minister's statement as "bizarre, rash, and arrogant.'' "I still think the whole thing is bizarre,'' she yesterday told The Royal Gazette .

She was also reluctant to comment on the fate her Prohibited Restaurants Bill, which at the close of Friday night's sitting was dropped from the order paper by the administration of the House.

"As far as I know any legislation not dealt with has to be carried over. The House had agreed all matters apart from the Throne Speech would be carried over,'' she said.

"I don't know what he's (Speaker Ernest DeCouto) done. If he's done anything that deviates from the norm that would be absolutely unprecedented.''