promotion scheme on cruise ships.

But the Hon. C.V. (Jim) Woolridge pulled back from promising direct Government intervention.

He urged, instead, the Chamber of Commerce to "discipline'' its own members, and find a solution.

Under the schemes, traders pay middlemen to recommend their stores to cruise ship passengers through "lectures''.

Business leaders, however, say the on-board promotions, run by Miami-based International Voyager Media (IVM), only help the few who can afford advertising rates.

They claim rates are often pushed up as traders compete for limited advertising time.

In June the Chamber of Commerce sent notices to its members, warning about schemes on the Nordic Prince and Westward .

Yesterday Mr. Woolridge admitted he had met members of IVM to discuss boosting spending by cruise ship passengers.

The Premier the Hon. Sir John Swan and tourism director Mr. Gary Phillips had also been present.

"To be honest I wasn't carried away by the programme that was offered,'' said Mr. Woolridge.

He added his ministry was aware of complaints about the programme from several merchants.

"We are concerned when we hear that people, for instance, are dissuaded from shopping in St. George's. We frown on that.

"Some merchants have dropped out of the programme. I can't, however, tell merchants what to do.

"It's for the Chamber to advise them what to do. If merchants want to pay excessive commission fees, there must be method in their madness.'' He added: "I think the Chamber should take a firm hand, and be able to discipline its own members.'' Mr. Woolridge picked out a promotion scheme on the Horizon as a model to imitate.

It promoted shops throughout Bermuda, and was not discriminatory, he added.

"This is a programme I very much support.'' The Premier yesterday said Government was anxious to promote a "fair system'' for all traders.

"I can only urge that the commercial industry be treated on a fair basis, with equity for all,'' he added.