A business associate of National Sports Centre executive Donald Lines has been paid $7,000 to carry out work at the stadium.

Youth and Sport Minister Tim Smith yesterday revealed that landscaper Robert Duffy was being paid on an hourly basis for advice and consultancy work on the $40 million project.

And Mr. Smith told the House of Assembly that Mr. Duffy -- owner of Landscape Consultants Ltd. -- had already been handed $7,000 for his services.

But Ms. Smith added: "I have determined that there is no basis to suggest impropriety whatsoever in the engagement of Landscape Consultants Ltd.'' The Royal Gazette revealed last week that Mr. Duffy's wife Janice worked for Mr. Lines, the chairman of the Sports Centre's Board of Trustees, as an executive assistant.

One of Mr. Lines' firms, Waterstreet Corporate Services Ltd., is also the registered office for Landscape Consultants.

Mr. Smith, in a statement to Parliament, said: "I am satisfied that the National Sports Centre Trustees have conducted themselves with a high degree of professionalism, openness and integrity.

"The Trustees are as eager as I am to ensure openness and fairness. They too welcome the scrutiny by any and all parties concerned.

"The Trustees are eager to see the completion of this magnificent project and they are committed to ensuring that the Bermudian taxpayer receives value for money and the delivery of a world-class sport and recreation facility.

"I have determined that there is no basis to suggest impropriety whatsoever in the engagement of Landscape Consultants Ltd.'' Mr. Smith added that the majority of a landscaping contract had yet to be awarded and the Trustees would invite Bermudian professionals to bid for the tender.

Mr. Lines, the former president of the Bank of Bermuda, did not return telephone calls to his office yesterday and a receptionist said he was no longer speaking to The Royal Gazette .

Mr. Smith said Mr. Duffy had been employed by main Sports Centre contractor Johnston Sport Architecture after a newspaper advertisement in March.

He added: "During the interviews, the Johnston Sport Architecture team recognised that Landscape Consultants Ltd. could be of assistance to their in-house landscape architect.

"Johnston Sport Architecture have confirmed that they had no prior knowledge that Landscape Consultants had within their organisation any person or persons associated remotely or otherwise with the National Sports Centre Trustees.

"To date, Landscape Consultants Ltd. have been paid some $7,000 for consultancy services rendered to Johnston Sport Architecture.'' Shadow Youth and Sport Minister Nelson Bascome, who called for the Government inquiry after The Royal Gazette story last week, said: "I have read the Minister's statement over and over again.

"I'm still not satisfied with all the answers and I'm going to be putting down some Parliamentary questions.''