Opposition Leader Pamela Gordon has attacked Government for using taxpayers' money to promote the Progressive Labour Party at the British Labour Party conference.

But Environment Minister Arthur Hodgson said his visit to last year's Labour Conference had proven invaluable in moving the Baselands issue forward.

Ms Gordon claimed the cost of putting a Bermuda booth in the conference in Brighton, England would cost the Island $50,000 just to put over a partisan pro-PLP message.

She said Health and Family Services Minister Nelson Bascome, Education Minister Milton Scott and Bermuda Tourism in Europe Director Ian Parker had made the trip.

She said the exhibition book read: "For the second year the exhibit gives you the chance to get a taste of Bermuda! "November 1998 saw the Bermuda Progressive Labour Party Government swept to victory to become the island's first Labour government.

"Under the leadership of the current Premier Jennifer Smith JP MP this dependent territory will be exhibiting with the aim of exchanging political ideas and philosophies as well promote the tourism and investment sectors.'' Ms Gordon said booths from other dependent territories such as Gibraltar and the Falklands were strictly governmental.

She said: "If the PLP want it to be political they should have paid for it out of their own coffers.'' And she added: "The Tourism Minister is in Las Vegas. And who is representing international business in Brighton?'' But Mr. Hodgson said his visit to last year's conference, which was the first time Government had paid for such a trip, was invaluable. He said: "I went last year to deal specifically with the Baselands issue.

"Of course a conference is a place you can deal with a number of players together in one place.

"It was very successful and I met the Prime Minister, Baroness Scotland, The Secretary of State for Defence and the Minister of Environment.

"I don't think I could have accomplished that in the time I was allotted other than at that conference. Most contacts following on the bases issue emanated from those meetings.''