Government must step up its assault on the US Base problem, a business leader urged this week.

Mr. Louis Mowbray said a full-time team should be formed to parry the blow of closure.

Government's measures so far were welcome, the president of the Bermuda Chamber of Commerce claimed. But the proposed committees preparing Bermuda for military withdrawal did not go far enough, he added.

"We need a person or a team to focus full-time on this for a couple of years.

It's no good having people in task forces who are very busy doing other things.

"The committees planned so far are alright to start with, but they are going to have to be supplemented.'' Mr. Mowbray suggested the team be like the West End Development Corporation.

"Wedco concentrates totally on the west end. The team I'm suggesting should concentrate totally on the whole question of the Base.'' Meanwhile, the Bank of Butterfield is drawing up a list of ideas on how to use the St. David's land once the US forces withdraw.

One suggestion is for Hamilton's container port to be moved to the site.

This would allow for more parkland on Front Street, it is claimed.

The House of Assembly was warned last Friday about the potential economic body blow of closure.

Finance Minister the Hon. David Saul said in 1992 the cost of running the airfield was about $5.6 million.

This covered maintenance, air traffic control, and crash and fire services.

Weather forecasting cost another $1.6 million, and search and rescue more than $700,000.

Dr. Saul added the US Bases employed 102 Bermudians last year. This cost $4.2 million in wages and other benefits.

Bermudian landlords also received a $12.8 million boost in rents.

"Clearly the closure of the Base will pose a host of challenges to Bermuda, but in the long run the return of 10 percent of our land mass will be of major benefit to the Island.'' Dr. Saul, however, believed Bermuda should be able to meet the "financial problems'' of Base closure.

Earlier this month, Government announced plans to form five committees to look at how the land could be used and the Airport run.

Yesterday Mr. Mowbray said maintenance of the Airport posed one of the biggest hurdles.

"The expense is going to fall on the Island.'' Landlords who had rented property to Base personnel in St. George's and St.

David's would also be hit hard.

"I realise there is some increase in international business, but it is not enough to make up for the loss of the Base,'' he said.

"But I also believe this will be an opportunity for us. The Base makes up about 10 percent of Bermuda's acreage, and will be available for various uses.'' Two leading bankers agreed the likely September 1, 1995 closure of the US Naval Air Station should be seen as an opportunity and challenge.

Mr. Michael Collier, president and chief operating officer at the Bank of Butterfield, said the Island needed to pull together over the issue.

The Base problem was above politics.

"We all have a responsibility to think of ways we can put that land to good use to the point where it is going to generate replacement revenue.'' Mr. Collier said the bank was inviting people to suggest ways of using the site.

"We have got to do something as a Country, sooner rather than later.'' Bank of Bermuda president Mr. Donald Lines said: "I know everybody is concerned about about the Base closure.

"I am not, however, as concerned as some of the politicians. I think it is a challenge.'' Mr. Lines voiced concern at the loss of the air and rescue, and fire services.

But he added: "I am sure we can find a solution at a price we can afford.''