to the defence of under-fire businessman John Deuss and urging them to lay off the Government over larger cars.

Mr. Deuss, who has been attacked for his sanction-busting activities for South Africa during the racist apartheid years, has been urging business colleagues to help fund a luxury $5 million tourism headquarters for the PLP Government.

The move by Bermuda Commercial Bank chairman Mr. Deuss was slated by UBP chairman Austin Woods who said it was important Government and business maintained a distance.

But Mr. Edness said: "If he assisted Government in getting a first class tourism centre to hold meetings with travel agents and wholesalers then that's simply a good thing. I don't care if I am out of line with colleagues.

"It's not right to bring into the Bermudian political arena residents who are very helpful to this community.'' Billionaire Mr. Deuss was caught breaking a UN General Assembly oil embargo by selling through subsidiaries to South Africa in 1986. A year later he stopped.

But Mr. Edness said people had taken different positions in how to deal with South Africa during its apartheid years, with UK Prime Minister Mrs. Thatcher arguing that sanctions would have destroyed its economy.

"I don't think anybody actually understands what he did and it should not have anything to do with this discussion,'' said Mr. Edness.

"He's a very respected resident in Bermuda who has done a lot to assist this Country in many ways.

"But if he was in discussions with the Government they should say so.'' He said Mr. Deuss' effort to help raise funds to buy the Cragmore estate on Pitt's Bay Road, was similar to other donations by exempt companies to Bermuda's well being -- such as XL's help with funding information technology at CedarBridge Academy.

"It's necessary for countries such as Bermuda where tourism is a lifeline to have facilities where you can hold important meetings and entertain people.

"You can't do that with the facilities at Global House.

"A lot of meetings with important people have to be held at hotels.

"I don't know why anybody would oppose it.

"If people thought about it, it's something the Country could use.'' And Mr.

Edness said the Opposition had gone overboard by hammering the Government on their bid to buy five oversize cars.

"I don't have a problem with Government Ministers having cars. I know what it's like travelling around the Country.

"It's time to put that to bed.'' The Government are allowed oversize cars if they are deemed in the "public interest'' under present law.

But Mr. Edness said Government should have changed the law to remove the grey area which started the controversy.

Quinton Edness