needs to be given minimum interference and maximum cooperation, an Opposition Senator stressed yesterday.

Senator Kim Swan was responding to the Senate presentation of the Budget for the Ministry of Development and Opportunity which provides a grant of some $6 million to the Bermuda Land Development Company (BLDC).

BLDC was set up in 1996 when the British, American and Canadian military forces pulled out of the bases they had occupied on the Island to manage the re-introduction of that land into the Bermudian community. Sen. Swan stressed that he hoped the BLDC would be allowed to go forward and be as successful as possible under the new Government.

"I would hope that in going forward the chairman and board of the Bermuda Land Development Company will be allowed minimum interference and maximum co-operation in developing the policies and necessary relationships needed for the BLDC to be successful.'' During his response, which will continue in the Upper House tomorrow morning, Sen. Swan also inquired into where the money granted to the BLDC was going to be spent and questioned how much funding was being granted to plans for road works, asbestos removal and telecommunications infrastructure planned for Southside.