The Progressive Labour Party Government said The Royal Gazette did not have necessary penetration and that it wanted to cut costs.

But the Progressive Labour Party does not appear to agree with at least one of those statements, judging by a half page advert in The Royal Gazette.

On page seven of yesterday's newspaper, the PLP was advertising the second Annual Premier's Gala Weekend, a fundraising event where tickets cost as much as $25,000.

Last night PLP chairman David Burt declined to comment and when this newspaper asked Government for a comment we were referred to the PLP. In March Government decided to stop advertising with The Royal Gazette and end its subscriptions with this paper.

A Cabinet statement at the time said: "The Bermuda Government will reduce the scope of its print advertising and systematically move toward electronic media outlets for the purposes of delivering messages to the public.

"The Cabinet determined it was not cost-effective or penetrative enough to rely heavily on print advertising in an electronically advanced community. However, the Government will continue to utilise the Official Gazette under its current contract which expires on December 31, 2008.

"Additionally, the Cabinet resolved to end its daily newspaper subscription as a further cost savings measure. In the last fiscal year the government spent almost $800,000 on subscriptions and advertising in the print media, about $42,000 of that amount was spent on newspaper subscriptions."

Premier Ewart Brown has championed the electronic media and radio as Government's newly preferred means of communication. Soon after the advertising ban was announced, he said: "The whole world is moving toward the Internet and in Bermuda we have seen in the last few years the radio is an important medium for Bermuda. There will be an increase in radio time purchased."

Yesterday's half- page advertisement gave details of the gala weekend taking place from June 28 to June 30 at the Fairmont Southampton Hotel and which is in honour of the PLP Parliamentary Caucus.

The schedule of events includes a golf tournament at Belmont Hills, First Lady's Luncheon, a gala reception, Premier's platinum and gold reception for platinum, gold and silver guests only, Premier's gala black tie ball with dinner, show and dancing, Premier's platinum and gold dinner at his home and the leader's platinum round table breakfast.

Prices start at $25,000 for platinum packages with multiple tickets for the various events. Gold packages are $10,000 for two people and $5,000 for one person with one or two tickets to four events including a photo opportunity with Dr. Brown. Silver packages are $1000 and include one ticket to the gala reception and black tie ball.

Individual tickets for the golf tournament and the First Lady's luncheon are $250 each while general admission to the black tie ball is $500 a person.