THE EDITOR, Sir:

I write once again to set the record straight in respect of Government land that was accessed by me in order to develop a property in Christiana, Manchester.

I enclose correspondence between myself, the Ministry of Transport and Works, the Commissioner of Lands, and the National Works Agency, which demonstrates my efforts to have this matter regularized. You will observe that in my letter of January 26, 2001, I was seeking the intervention of the National Works Agency, who has responsibility for the abandoned road, to regularize my outstanding application.

The correspondence also shows an acknowledgement from the then Minister of State, Dean Peart, who suggested that I should deal directly with the Commissioner of Lands. The documents also show the correspondence with the Commissioner of Lands, and expenses incurred by me to survey the land.

By the time the Commissioner of Lands set the price of J$1.2 million, a change of ownership was imminent and therefore the sale was effected with Cool Oasis Ltd.

The details that I have set out show plainly that the claim of Mr. Peart that I had "captured" Government land and did not expect to pay for it was a blatant piece of dishonesty inspired by his hapless propensity for political tribalism.

I trust that you will correct the gross and malicious inaccuracies that were contained in your front page newspaper story on February 14, which was based on the erroneous information provided by Mr. Peart to your reporter.

I am, etc.,

AUDLEY SHAW, MP

Minister of Finance and the Public Service