Tourism Minister Shawn Crockwell has defended the hiring of his former employers, law firm MJM Limited, to draft legislation on the planned Tourism Authority saying it was done on his advice precisely because of his prior experience with the firm.But Mr Crockwell “categorically” rejected a suggestion that the engagement was a “friends and family” scheme.The Minister acknowledged that MJM had been hired in the House of Assembly motion to adjourn debate on July 26 when the issue was raised by Shadow Finance Minister David Burt.Yesterday, he answered a series of questions about the contract put to him by this newspaper.“The drafting of the Tourism Authority Act was outsourced by the Attorney General’s Chambers and MJM Limited was the firm chosen on my advice,” Mr Crockwell said.“So in effect it is the AGs chambers which is hiring and paying for the drafting services. We will not know the full cost until the job is completed and we are still in the process of finalising the Act. Law firms do not give a definitive quote on prospective work.”Mr Crockwell said, in addition to the drafting work, MJM was also providing advice to the Tourism Board with respect to its transition to the Tourism Authority.Asked why and how the firm was chosen, the Minister said:“I recommended using MJM because of the confidence I have in the work the firm produces — and this comes from my previous professional relationship with the firm. Tendering for this contract was not required. It has been the practice and remains the practice that Government does not put out legal work to tender.”The Royal Gazette also asked the Minister whether he accepted that awarding a contract to his former employer could be seen as a conflict of interest and his response to the charge that it is a “friends and family” scheme.“I categorically refute this charge. The process of engaging MJM was in line with how Government has retained legal counsel in the past,” he said.“When in opposition I never had an issue with the Government consistently retaining Trott and Duncan as its attorney as the client must feel comfortable with the lawyer that they retain. I am very comfortable with the professional standards and quality of work from MJM Limited and based on those criteria I recommended that MJM be retained.”Mr Crockwell also noted that “a local law firm” had been engaged with respect to the Dame Lois Browne-Evans Court Building, costing the taxpayer more than $111,000.“And on that same project the Government engaged Conyers Dill & Pearman.”Mr Crockwell worked with MJM until he was appointed Tourism Minister in December last year.The Minister also confirmed that Corey Butterfield remains as an advisor to the Ministry.“Mr Butterfield continues to provide policy advice on special projects within the Ministry of Tourism Development and Transport and is specifically working on major initiatives in Transport. I continue to be satisfied with the quality of work that he has produced.”He said Mr Butterfield’s contract ends in December.