increasing MPs' salaries.

Sir John, who lost his Warwick West seat at the last election, said salary hikes always risked "alienating the public''.

He also admitted he had moral reservations about salary increases.

"I've always felt we are serving the public, and should not expect to make money.'' Sir John believed current Parliamentary salaries were reasonable -- and reflected time and effort put in by MPs.

But a case could be made for improving Cabinet Ministers' salaries, he added.

Sir John's comments follows news that a committee studying Parliamentary pay has nearly finished its work.

It would probably report to the House of Assembly on June 17, the committee's chairman, Education Minister the Hon. Clarence Terceira, said last week.

Mr. Terceira, however, has declined to divulge what was recommended by the select committee, made up of four United Bermuda Party and three Progressive Labour Party MPs.

In April, he said he expected the committee would recommend an increase, which would be the first in six years.

One of those against a raise is National Liberal Party chairman Mr. Gilbert Darrell.

Mr. Darrell -- who lost the lone NLP seat in the October general election -- said Bermuda's MPs did not deserve a pay increase.

Parliamentary work was "voluntary'' and "part-time,'' Mr. Darrell said.

He added MPs and Senators were not expected to live off their Government incomes.

Yesterday Sir John said he had never experienced financial hardship because of his Parliamentary salary.

And he has written to The Royal Gazette , outlining his views.

"Frankly I believe existing Parliamentary salaries are fairly reflective of the time and effort and circumstances of service in the House of Assembly.

"The basic salary for all members is $24,000.'' He added: "Parliamentary attendance is hardly onerous, meeting once a week (except over the estimates debate) for about six months; admittedly going late into the night occasionally, but often ending over the lunch hour.

"Of course there are associated demands on a Parliamentarian's time, some social, some party.

"And, most important of all, there are responses to constituents, which demand varies from constituency to constituency -- the higher density and lower income ones requiring more attention.

"But I always considered this a labour of love, not to be specifically compensated for.'' Sir John pointed out those with extra responsibilities -- such as the Premier, Ministers, Opposition Leader, and Speaker -- received more.

Cabinet Ministers, for instance, received an extra $24,000.

He stressed the demands on ministers were far greater than those on the ordinary MP.

And a case could be made for improving them -- because the demands and responsibilities of ministerial office could affect private income.

But he warned "substantial increases'' possibly leading to public demands that ministers devote all their time to their job, and give up their private sector work.

This could make some of Bermuda's best brains "think twice'' about accepting a Cabinet post.