Pressure may have come from Cabinet to discourage the National Trust from fighting the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute plan, the PLP suggested yesterday.

But the Trust, which objects to the location and size of the planned building, denied it had been pressured.

Sen. Milton Scott, Opposition leader in the Senate, told the chamber: "It appears there has been some form of interference from the highest level in Government in relation to the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute in an effort to dissuade the National Trust in dealing with their application that they made in objection to the institute.

"I would hope that is not the case,'' he added.

Outside Senate, Sen. Scott said he had heard pressure was being put on the Trust from an individual or individuals in the Cabinet.

Meetings had taken place between Cabinet members and the Trust where pressure had been applied. He was not prepared to give names.

Trust environmental chairman Mr. Tim Marshall said: "We have not been pressured to withdraw our objection.

"Since our objection was lodged, we have been in contact with the institute's architects and supporters. And we remain open to discussion on the subject, because the Trust is always willing to talk to planning applicants.'' The Trust was non-political and would not be forced to act in a particular way by anyone, he said.

It had no objection to the concept of the institute, only to the building and its placement.

Sen. Scott also told the Senate he was concerned at the collections policy of the institute, which had not been publicly stated.

Artifacts in local waters belonged to all Bermudians. "We don't want to see those artifacts that are out there benefiting only a select few.'' He had been stopped three times in the street and asked if there was a "hidden agenda'' relating to the institute.

Information needed to be given to dispel some of the perceptions about the scheme.

Replying for Government, Sen. Grant Gibbons told the chamber he was not aware of any "interference''.

The Trust had a lot of members and there were differences of opinion. Maybe that was why there had been some discussion between the Trust and directors of the institute.

The institute did not have any permanent collection and was not interested in maintaining one, he added.

It would rely on displays like Mr. Jack Lightbourn's shell collection. "It will not own any artifacts as I understand it.

"In terms of the hidden agenda, I'm not sure the institute does have a hidden agenda.'' As for undersea artifacts, Government was putting legislation in place on the collection of items from wrecks.

The application would be dealt with in the normal way by the Development Applications Board.