to purchase the .34-acre site from Government.

On Friday, the House of Assembly unanimously approved a proposal to sell the North Shore Road site near the Tynes Bay incinerator to the Mid Atlantic Boat and Sports Club for $180,000.

An eight-foot right-of-way to allow the public access to the beach would be retained, Works and Engineering Minister the Hon. Ann Cartwright DeCouto told MPs.

The club has leased the land since the mid-1950s and built the structures on it, she said.

Deputy Opposition Leader Mr. Walter Roberts congratulated the club for its foresight and ability to negotiate the deal. He thought the price represented a very good deal for the club, but also congratulated the Government.

National Liberal Party Leader Mr. Gilbert Darrell said Government should now "confirm or deny'' whether the Tynes Bay area would be filled in with a mixture of incinerator ash and concrete blocks, as had been discussed.

And Shadow Transport Minister Mr. Walter Lister questioned whether the site would be enhanced by having "the incinerator just a stone's throw away''.

Owning the site would create a stronger bond within the club, but "will it be safe for swimming right in front of the club?'' he asked. "I don't know; I don't believe the Minister knows.'' Shadow Health and Social Services Minister Mr. Nelson Bascome congratulated Government on the deal and said he hoped the National Sailing Association would help the club in getting a proper boat launch.

Presently the club used a winch to lower sailboats, he said.

Shadow Youth and Sport Minister Mr. Dennis Lister said he also supported the sale.

Mrs. Cartwright DeCouto said she was "delighted'' with the support expressed, but accused Mr. Walter Lister of using "scare tactics'' without checking his facts.

Studies by the Bermuda Biological Station and others showed it was safe to use the ash and concrete for land reclamation, she said.

The Development Applications Board had already approved one site for the ash disposal, but due to recent testing, it was felt the North Shore opposite Tynes Bay was "considered a better site for land reclamation''.

Another DAB application was planned for that site, and the DAB would have the final say, she said.