camping and swimming,'' Finance Minister Grant Gibbons said yesterday.

But Eugene Cox MP for Sandys North criticised Government for making the announcement so close to the Cup Match holiday which begins on Thursday.

"To come up with this a day or two before the holiday is not the way they should be doing business anyway.

"I am pleased that Government is going to make it available,'' he added.

"This is something that needs to be done but I do feel that they should not just stop at the holidays.

"There are other things involved that all of us have been asking Government to address and I hope that this is an indication that they realise that people of the West End and other parts of the Island need open space to relax.

"I hope this is a step in the right direction ultimately.'' Attempts to reach either Keith Tucker or Cordell Brangman of the Sandys Community group lobbying Government to turn the site over for recreational and other uses were unsuccessful yesterday.

In a prepared statement, Dr. Gibbons said that "special arrangements'' have been made so that certain parts of the Daniel's Head area can be used for camping between July 31 and August 5.

"Cup Match is a very busy camping period and we feel that by opening parts of Daniel's Head more families will be able to take advantage of this past time and enjoy the holiday,'' he said.

As a consequence he said the gates to the former Canadian Forces base will be opened tomorrow to allow campers to set up their tents and equipment in designated areas. Parking will also be set aside.

All camping equipment must be removed by Monday morning August 5.