UK Prime Minister Tony Blair has issued proof of his personal commitment to the battle to clean up the former US Baselands in Bermuda.

In a personal letter to Environment Minister Arthur Hodgson, Mr. Blair wrote: "Like you, we believe that the US administration does have a duty of care to deal with the environmental damage left by the US military in Bermuda.'' And he promised: "We are ready to help you fight the case with them.'' Mr. Hodgson -- who discussed the Baselands problem with Mr. Blair at the recent UK Labour Party conference in England -- said the letter of support proved it was right to attend the Bournemouth event.

He added: "It wouldn't have happened otherwise. I have a personal connection with the man now and he has a personal interest.

"Having gone, I couldn't have asked for anything better and Mr. Blair has certainly moved things along.'' The Royal Gazette revealed last week that Mr. Blair had pledged a personal approach to US President Bill Clinton over the $65 million clean-up bill for the two former US bases in Bermuda, abandoned in 1995.

The bases, in Southampton and St. David's, were left polluted with hundreds of thousands of gallons of oil, potentially deadly asbestos and poisonous heavy metals -- for which the US has consistently denied its responsibility.

Mr. Hodgson said the end result might depend on how much of an interest Mr.

Blair would take and if a one-to-one plea from Mr. Blair -- said to enjoy a close relationship with Mr. Clinton -- came off.

But he added: "The Americans are not going to allow a $65 million dollar bill to stand between them and their relationship with Britain.'' Mr. Hodgson added the $120,000-plus cost of the Bournemouth trip -- which included Premier Jennifer Smith, her Chief of Staff David Burch, plus three Ministers and three civil servants -- was justified.

The cost of the trip was highlighted in the House of Assembly on Friday by the Opposition United Bermuda Party, who slammed the expense.

Mr. Hodgson said: "Each of us had our own agenda when they went -- and certainly, in terms of mine, it was 100 percent successful.'' And he praised the contributions of Development and Opportunity Minister Terry Lister and the Premier in assisting in highlighting the bases issue.

Blair is backing Bermuda Mr. Hodgson said: "The trip was a very good deal. The Opposition is criticising, but they're not suggesting what else we could have done.'' He added: "They didn't get the bases cleaned up -- we're not saying we will, but we will give it our best shot. And I think we will be successful.'' Mr. Hodgson added he had also discussed the UK approach to helping out disadvantaged children with the UK Prime Minister.

Mr. Blair's letter said: "I enclose a booklet setting out our policy on supporting families, which covers disadvantaged children.'' The letter ended: "It was a pleasure to meet you at the party conference. I hope you enjoyed your visit to the United Kingdom.'' Mr. Hodgson said: "He took the opportunity to give me his ideas on some of the other Government policies which was very useful as well.'' Diplomats from the UK Embassy in Washington and from the Foreign Office visited the old US Naval Air Station in St. David's and the ex-US Naval Annex in Southampton last month -- and said they were stunned by the mess the US left.

At the Annex -- now known as Morgan's Point and earmarked for a major tourist development -- up to $500,000 gallons of fuel is believed to have leaked from underground storage tanks into the cave system underneath.

The US position is that it will only pay for clean-ups if there is a major threat to health and safety -- which it says is not the case in Bermuda.

Major meeting: Prime Minister Tony Blair and Environment Minister Arthur Hogson at the Labour Party conference.