claimed Government was ignoring their bids to ease the effects of industrial action by Customs officers.

And Dr. Gibbons called on the four affected firms to come to an agreement for the lease of a new shed at the airport to replace the sub-standard one which Customs officers have now refused to work in.

Dr. Gibbons said: "I am concerned that HM Customs has been unfairly cast in the role of villain in the situation at the airport.

"My opinion is that Customs officers have exercised considerable patience during two-and-a-half years of negotiations between Government and the couriers to find a solution to an overcrowding problem which is becoming progressively worse.'' And he said the courier firms were running the risk of appearing to be dragging their heels over the new building to prolong their current rent-free situation.

Three Customs officers walked out of the old shed -- which is overcrowded, in poor repair and lacks air-conditioning -- last week.

The courier firms admitted that a new facility was on offer -- but the rents were too high and that the firms were expected to fork out huge sums for equipment and running costs.

The officers are now processing courier mail through the baggage hall, but the courier firms claimed that was much slower -- and that Customs officers were now opening every item, rather than just a random selection.

Dr. Gibbons was backed by Bermuda Public Service Association general secretary Eugene Blakeney, who stressed the Customs officers were not on strike, but refusing to work in "deplorable'' conditions.

And he added that a letter sent to Collector of Customs Gerry Ardis said that the Customs officers "will no longer work in unsuitable working conditions and until the matter is resolved all courier services will be conducted from the baggage hall''.

The row broke out after representatives of the four firms -- who have thousands of items backlogged at the Airport -- claimed Government had ignored possible solutions to the problem.

And they warned that if the dispute continued much longer, business on the Island would be seriously affected.

But Dr. Gibbons said: "The couriers must understand that the period during which we were able to allow them free space at the Airport has come to an end.

"Their business is now so big that to continue to operate in the old way would amount to using public funds and public officers to underwrite business expenses the courier firms should themselves be paying. "Bermuda is not unique in this situation -- the bearing of business expenses by couriers at this type of facility is accepted practice worldwide.'' Dr. Gibbons said claims that Customs officers were on a go-slow was a "red herring''; Customs had been forced to revert to the previous courier package clearance through the baggage hall.

He added that the charge for a six-year lease being asked -- totalling around $50,000 a year for all four firms -- were the going Airport rate.

Minister attacks couriers blaming Customs officers for their woes and to conclude these negotiations with us quickly so that we can get them into their new accommodation.

"The alternative for them is a number of months during which their Customs clearing work will, of necessity, proceed more slowly than it has done in the past, which will undoubtedly impact most on those who depend on courier services for timely delivery of packages.'' Mr. Blakeney said the couriers should "conclude the negotiations...and not use the Customs officers as scapegoats''.

AIRPORT FLY BUSINESS BUC