Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Conference as the crowning event in his overseas experience.

Mr. Simmons rubbed shoulders with politicians from 150 nations during the trip last month.

He helped put across Bermuda's need for help on the Baselands clean up during a debate on environmental degradation.

Mr. Simmons said: "The Commonwealth is not a political organisation -- in my view it's a sounding board.'' But the mood of the meetings would be noted by governments and Mr. Simmons said he hoped they would take note of the call from delegates to write off Third World debt.

The delegation including Government backbencher Randy Horton, House of Assembly Speaker Stanley Lowe, Senate President Alf Oughton, Independent Sen.

Walwyn Hughes, and House of Assembly clerk Muriel Roach.

The delegation, which left on September 16 and returned on September 30, spent three days in Jersey before going to London and then Edinburgh, Scotland.

Mr. Simmons said: "The British went all out. They greeted us royally, literally -- the Queen addressed us as did Prime Minister Tony Blair.'' "And there were pleasant social events as well as all the hard work we had to do.''