The Premier has accused the Opposition of recklessness and of putting millions of dollars of revenue at risk through criticism of Government's handling of the Aircraft Registry.

Ewart Brown, Minister of Tourism and Transport, yesterday responded to a statement by the UBP, in which the party claimed understaffing of the Bermuda Aircraft Register had left it open to UK questioning.

Dr. Brown described the comments as "irresponsible and careless", saying the Opposition's "baseless attack" would now harm the Island's reputation in the air industry.

The UBP claimed understaffing was the real reason for the current row over UK "interference" in Bermuda's registration of Russian aircraft.

But Dr. Brown said last night: "It seems as though the UBP is more interested in scoring cheap political points than protecting the interests of the people of Bermuda and the millions of dollars the Aircraft Registry contributes to our economy.

"In their efforts to discredit the Government they have run a real risk of undermining our ability to save the Air Registry.

"It seems the UBP would rather see Bermuda lose the Aircraft Registry than come together as Bermudians to protect it."

UBP Leader Kim Swan said an audit by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) in February 2009 stated Bermuda did not have enough technical staff to fulfil its safety oversight responsibilities.

He said staffing had "not kept pace" with the growth in the air registry.

"The lack of oversight capacity is the nub of the UK Government's concerns, given that it has contingent liability for Bermuda's international obligations," said Mr. Swan.

But the Premier said last night: "Government was aware that resources were stretched prior to the ICAO audit, and had placed restrictions on the growth of the register for a period of five months.

"During this period Government provided support to the Department of Civil Aviation to increase the number of contracted inspectors, and developed a plan to hire temporary staff as an interim measure.

"Whilst the published full-time employees for DCA have shown little growth, resources have been engaged to ensure oversight responsibilities are carried out."

He said four temporary positions were created in 2009-10 and four more contracted Inspectors were approved in the past six months.

Government has undertaken a review of the DCA and a business plan has been formulated. As a result another four temporary positions will be created in 2010.

Dr. Brown added contracting was a normal procedure around the world.

"DCA has engaged the services of reputable aviation organisations to conduct specific oversight functions in the areas of Continuing Airworthiness (a relatively new requirement) and Safety Management," he said.

"We will continue to engage such companies for projects as required.

"Contracting services is an acceptable means of conducting regulatory oversight to both the UK and ICAO. Many countries outsource parts of their regulatory responsibilities, and countries such as France and Luxembourg have outsourced significant portions for years."

He added: "The ICAO has accepted all the action plans submitted in response to the audit findings."

The Premier returns today from his visit to Russia with Thomas Dunstan, Bermuda's Director of Civil Aviation.

Over the last few days he has met with airline operators and Russian Government and aviation officials, following concerns raised by the UK Government that Bermuda's relationship with Russian aircraft was "a revenue-raising business".

Dr. Brown said yesterday: "The series of meetings in Russia had been scheduled for months but the unfounded concerns by the UK placed a higher importance on the meetings, to ensure the Russian operators and regulatory agencies were personally informed of the situation and to ease any concerns.

"The Aircraft Registry is a vital contributor to our economy and we will do everything within our power to protect it."

However in a statement last night the UBP said: "An international agency ICAO has found the registry deficient in manpower in relation to its obligations. Instead of simply being straight with the people of Bermuda about the problem, the Premier has tried to spin it into some sort of dispute with the UK Government and to portray himself as the man to save the situation.

"The Premier has been the Minister of Transportation for more than a decade. The shortage in registry manpower developed on his watch.

"As the Opposition, we have called on him to stop toying with Bermuda and simply make sure the registry is sufficiently staffed. For him to suggest our statement endangers the registry is absurd.

"His failure as Minister is the issue here, nothing else."