Premier Alex Scott yesterday pledged that his administration will be committed to Government transparency and will soon have a number of long awaited government ordered reports released to the public.

“I've had a conversation with the new Minister, Dale Butler and I told him unless it has red ink on it that says ‘Top Secret', sure it can go out,” the Premier said when asked his view on releasing government reports to the public.

“I have absolutely no difficulty with it and I don't think the government or the party has difficulty with it - unless it is deemed to be and is judged to be material that should be held in abeyance.

“So, yes, I think there will be several reports that will come out. We will be supporting transparency in that way.”

As a ruling party backbencher during the last Parliament, Mr. Butler - now the new Community Affairs Minister - supported calls by the Opposition United Bermuda Party (UBP) to release reports such as a review of the Bermuda Regiment, the civil service review and an asbestos report.

“I have no trouble with the Auditor's report on the new senior secondary school. I think he did a part two. It's very much like a soap opera - he's doing a whole series on it, and I don't mind how many times he does it, it will keep coming out right. Behind time but on budget,” the Premier said.

Asked what reports should be expected to be made public soonest, Mr. Scott said: “What's there. I'm probably going to use Mr. Butler as an initial point of reference. Unless you want me to go right through the library and throw them all out to the public.

“But I think most of those that he felt should have seen the light of day seem to be those which folks have been saying they want to see. I have no control over what the Police may be withholding because of the investigation so... I can't require it to be made public. But any other document that is the product of the Auditor's handiwork, sure.”

Transparency has been a key issue during the PLP's first term in office - with the Opposition accusing Government of unnecessary secrecy and of not living up to its campaign promise to conduct government business in the sunshine of public scrutiny.

The first PLP government denied the charge saying that it is not always a good idea to release every government ordered report to the public.

The UBP says that some seven or eight reports - including a review of the Bermuda Regiment, a taxation review, a report on asbestos disposal and a paper on Civil Service reform - which should be publicised have been missing for years.

In June then Health Minister Nelson Bascome said that the asbestos report, which was ordered in 2000 was on the agenda for Cabinet discussion.

Mr. Bascome had ordered the review after allegations that a company which involved former ruling party MP Arthur Pitcher had improperly removed the dangerous substance from a St. David's construction site.

St. David's residents claimed Mr. Pitcher's workers removed asbestos without masks and that the toxic substance was taken away in open trucks leading to the neighbourhood being exposed to it.

The UBP parlayed their discontent into key items on the “good government” planks of their election platform, advocating a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and a Whistleblower's Act.

Last year then ruling party backbencher Dale Butler joined the Opposition in its call for the reports to be made public, saying that such information was vital if he was to do an effective job as an MP.

Another document which was called for is an annex to an agreement made by Bermuda with the Organisation of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).