to fly to the Jerry Lewis telethon in America, says Shadow Tourism Minister Mr. David Allen.

The $2,300 it would cost to fly the performers to the Labour Day Muscular Dystrophy Telethon was "a modest amount'' when one considered the national television exposure Bermuda would receive through the Strollers' appearance, Mr. Allen said.

"It would cost us infinitely more in terms of paid advertising,'' he told The Royal Gazette .

Mr. Duane Santucci, the group's manager, has said Government is attempting to blackball the Bermuda Strollers because of lead singer Mr. Ted Ming's prosecution on drug charges.

Mr. Ming, who originally was sentenced to 20 years in prison, had his conviction for cocaine smuggling overturned by the Appeals Court last year.

But Bermuda Tourism Director Mr. Gary Phillips said it was budget restrictions that were preventing his department from sponsoring the trip to Massachusetts.

Mr. Allen said he accepted Mr. Phillips' explanation. But from a strictly economic point of view, paying for the airplane tickets was worthwhile. "It would be a wise use of funds. The $2,300 would help to offset what we're not spending on television advertising.'' As for the suggestion the Bermuda Strollers were being blackballed, "I believe, and I believe Mr. Phillips agrees with this, that under our system of justice a person is presumed innocent until proven otherwise.

"These persons were acquitted, and that should be the end of the matter.''