British Government to put pressure on the US to clean up the mess they left behind when they quit their Island bases.

And the Labour Party peer also promised to assist the Bermuda Land Development Corporation to sell the Base lands to British firms through the powerful Confederation of British Industry -- the UK employer's "trade union''.

Now the BLDC is considering sending a delegation to Britain to promote the advantages of locating in Bermuda.

Lord Ashley -- a former Labour MP and Government Minister -- said: "I'm astounded that the Americans have repudiated liability for what they've left behind.

"And I've promised to find out if the British Government are pressing the US to take responsibility.'' Lord Ashley was speaking after visiting the former US Naval Air Station, now known as Southside, yesterday.

He said: "It's incredible that asbestos should brought in and then left, to the detriment of Bermuda.

"My understanding of international law, although not perfect, is that, regardless of whether they knew they were causing damage, they are responsible.

"The important thing is that the British Government take an active part in pressing the US on this -- and I'll be getting in touch with the Foreign Secretary when I get back.'' Lord Ashley -- leading a UK delegation to Bermuda from the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association -- was briefed on the pollution problem, which could cost as much as $65 million to put right.

The Base lands problems have been a thorn in the side of Bermuda/US relations since the US Navy left in 1995.

Ashley to push bases clean-up When the US Navy closed the bases, they left behind tons of oil and potentially deadly asbestos and poisonous heavy metals.

The Royal Gazette revealed last year that around half-a-million gallons of oil, leaked over years from underground storage tanks, lay beneath Soutampton's old Naval Annex -- earmarked for a massive tourist development.

The official US position is that the American government will only pay for clean-ups where there is "an imminent threat to health and safety'' -- which it insists is not the case in Bermuda.

US surveys backed its position -- but then-Premier Pamela Gordon delivered a copy of a Bermuda-commissioned environmental probe highlighting the extent of the pollution to Pentagon chiefs last October.

And there have been signs the US hard line is softening -- last year President Clinton approved a $100 million dollar pay-off to Canada to pay for pollution on ex-US bases there.

Lord Ashley said BLDC chiefs had told him they were keen to promote Southside -- earmarked for hi-tech, new wave industries like e-commerce -- to overseas firms.

He added: "I suggested they should get in touch with the Confederation of British Industry, who should be able to advise Bermuda on the firms which might be interested and possibly tap into them -- I think they've taken this on board.'' GOOD LORD! -- Lord Ashley, the leader of the UK Commonwealth Parliamentary Association delegation visiting the Island this week, is seen with Lady Ashley after an official visit to Premier Jennifer Smith at Cabinet Office.