will be treated like any other, despite the involvement of former Premier Sir John Swan, says Finance Minister Grant Gibbons.

"I had received an application some time ago from a company with which (Sir John) is associated about their interest in setting up a McDonald's operation in Bermuda,'' Dr. Gibbons told The Royal Gazette this week.

"Any application...would be treated on the same basis to make sure it's in compliance with the Companies Act and companies regulations,'' Dr. Gibbons said.

As part of the process, the application would be scrutinised by the Attorney General's Chambers and the Bermuda Monetary Authority, he said.

"I did not get a letter from Sir John,'' Dr. Gibbons said. "I got a letter from somebody who is involved with one of his companies.

"I have gotten initial interest in incorporating a company to set up a McDonald's here, but I have not seen any formal documentation,'' he said.

It was only a letter expressing interest in incorporating a company. "There's a standard procedure. When we get the plans, if we do, it will be reviewed in the normal process.'' The letter was not from Hamilton West MP Mr. Maxwell Burgess, who works for John Swan Ltd. and is also said to be involved in the McDonald's project.

Dr. Gibbons said he had held no "formal talks'' with Sir John, who has said he is acting as a consultant for a group interested in re-opening the McDonald's.

"He has certainly mentioned to me in passing that there was an interest,'' Dr. Gibbons said of Sir John, who is his United Bermuda Party running mate in Paget East.

But "lobbied isn't a word I would use necessarily,'' he said."I think he was acting as an agent, basically.'' Sir John said it was "an established fact that we are acting on the McDonald's issue''.

But beyond that, "I'm not prepared to discuss my private business affairs with the media,'' he said.

Asked if there would be a call for proposals to operate a McDonald's, as Government has promised to do with some other Base opportunities, Dr. Gibbons said: "The actual setting up of a company is not directly related to that building (which housed the McDonald's) down at the Base.'' However, "we may get another request, and presumably we will, to operate the building down there. I have had some indication that they would like to pursue that.'' While it is often said that franchises are not permitted in Bermuda, "it's fair to say that there already exist in Bermuda many, many franchise type operations,'' Dr. Gibbons said. "The ones that exist already exist in compliance with the Companies Act.'' Those franchises ranged from Marks and Spencer to Benetton to Four Star Pizza, he said.

Asked about Kentucky Fried Chicken, Dr. Gibbons said it predated the present policy.

He could not say whether it would be possible for a McDonald's franchise to comply with the Companies Act.