by Cabinet today after MPs outlawed foreign fast food chains.

Government had recommended that former Premier Sir John Swan's company Grape Bay Ltd., trading as McDonald's, should get the concession covering four areas of the Airport.

But the Prohibited Restaurant Bill has halted the burger idea and could also possibly delay the opening of food and drinks areas at the Airport.

Last night Transport Minister Wayne Furbert said he would be raising the issue at Cabinet today.

However he added: "Grape Bay can still open a restaurant at the Airport, but not a McDonald's.

"I don't think we will have to look again at the concessions, but that is in the hands of Grape Bay to say whether they are interested or not, but they have the option to run a restaurant.'' Ann Cartwright DeCouto's Prohibited Restaurant Bill passed the House of Assembly on a 23-16 vote last Friday.

It bans food franchises from opening from May 10 this year and effectively killed off the Franchise Committee's report which was also debated last Friday.

Government said it would keep the report as it could form the basis of possible future amendments to Mrs. Cartwright DeCouto's bill. Government cannot introduce any alternative legislation now the Bill has been passed.

Leases for other Airport concessions have already been tabled in the House of Assembly and they are due to go ahead on schedule.

Mr. Furbert said he would table the Grape Bay lease after discussion of the Franchise Committee report. However with the passing of the anti-burger Bill that lease could now be delayed.

The House has its last sitting before Christmas on Friday and reconvenes in February. The concessions are due to open next May.

"We have to get up and running because the concessions are due to open next May. The lease could now possibly be tabled in February. Unless we speed things up I do not see it being tabled this Friday,'' said Mr. Furbert.

The Prohibited Restaurant Bill is aimed at restricting the operation in Bermuda of restaurants associated with overseas restaurants.

It makes it an offence to operate such a restaurant, although provision is made to allow those already open, like Kentucky Fried Chicken, to continue in the same manner.

Any franchise operation opened after May 10, this year, will effectively be illegal and the person behind the business will be liable to six months in prison, a $5,000 fine or both.

Earlier this week Sir John said he would have to assess the situation. Last night his partner in Grape Bay and fellow MP Maxwell Burgess said: "We are waiting and seeing.'' RESTAURANT EAT