soccer Board of Inquiry report.

And he accused Opposition Leader Mr. Frederick Wade of making false allegations about the matter.

Earlier this week, Mr. Wade accused Government of trying to delay debate on the report.

He also questioned whether a statement to MPs last Friday by Sport Minister the Hon. Pamela Gordon flouted Parliamentary rules.

During the House's last session until November, Ms Gordon tabled Government's response to the report which followed the arrest in Miami last year of seven members of Bermuda's Under 23 football team on drug charges.

But Mr. Wade said he believed Ms Gordon should have held off until MPs had discussed the Board of Inquiry report.

"I don't know whether you can anticipate a debate,'' he said.

But Ms Gordon denied she was "ducking'' the issue.

She said the House of Assembly would consider the Board of Inquiry report in the fall.

In the meantime, she said she would be meeting with sporting organisations to get their opinions on the report.

Last night Sir John also stressed that Ms Gordon "simply preferred to obtain input from the sports bodies in the community prior to having a full debate in the legislature''.

He said the tabling of Government's response will not prevent the debate from taking place.

"Anyone who has read either the inquiry report or the Government's response will have seen quite plainly that it contains absolutely nothing which would give the Government a motive to delay the debate,'' he added.

"It was not only tabled as a precursor to debate, but more importantly as a courtesy to Members who, we thought, would have a vital interest in such an important report.

"The report's greatest value to the community as a whole is in the way it documents, in stark and unmistakable terms, just how bad Bermuda's drug problem is, and the extent to which it has invaded every corner of our lives, including sports.'' However, Sir John noted that most of the board's recommendations were "matters for those involved in the administration of sport'' to address.

"They must begin now, as soon as possible,'' he added.

"Government did think it was important, however, that those involved -- the clubs, the Bermuda Football Association, sporting organisations and others -- should be given information as quickly as possible about Government's reaction to the report, so that they could commence meetings and develop strategies to address these issues before the next sports session begins in October.'' Sir John also invited Mr. Wade "and his colleagues'' to help in finding solutions to the problems mentioned in the board's report.