Hon. Douglas Hurd.

He is being urged to get the British Government to overturn Bermuda's ban on homosexuality.

The plea comes in a letter from American Mr. William Courson, who has mounted the campaign.

He had hoped that Mr. Hurd would raise the matter at a meeting earlier this week with Bermuda's Premier the Hon. Sir John Swan.

Sir John was in the United Kingdom for the Conference of British Dependent Territories. The Royal Gazette understands the subject was not raised.

Wrote Mr. Courson: "The purpose of my writing to you at this time is to set before you once again the urgent necessity of amending Bermuda's legislation, with the responsibility for such amendment lying, in the wake of Bermuda's inability or unwillingness to do so, with the Government of the United Kingdom.'' Mr. Courson said Bermuda should heed the European Convention on Human Rights by changing its anti-gay law.

The UK was a signatory to the Convention on Bermuda's behalf, he added.

Mr. Courson said Mr. Hurd had already expressed hope that Bermuda would fall into line with the Convention.

"As you have been made aware, I have been engaged in an effort to bring about that very result for over a year, regrettably, to no avail thus far.

"As you also may have been made aware, there has been no change whatsoever in the law, nor any statement by Bermuda's government that it intends to initiate legislation in the island's parliament to that end.''