Dear Sir:

I played back my recording on the Down to Brass Tacks programme on Sunday 25th March and Minister Lynch ‘categorically’ stated that the Carnival Destiny will act as a floating hotel for four weeks.

He and Senator Lynton also denied that there was any Government loan from a commercial bank to charter Carnival Destiny.

It has of course been proven that such a loan was proposed to Parliament by Prime Minister Owen Arthur.

Now what benefits can the taxpayer expect from this US$15 million subsidy?

Below, is the schedule for the Carnival Destiny in April 2007 as stated on the Bridgetown Port Inc., own website.

10 April arrive
13 April depart 2200hrs
15 April return 0600hrs
17 April depart 2200hrs
19 April return 0600-2200hrs (depart)
21 April return 0600hrs
23 April depart 2200hrs
27 April return 0600hrs
30 April depart on locally advertised cheap cruise.

So if you add the total numbers of days the Destiny is in Bridgetown Port for the cricket matches it adds up to a total of 14 days.

All the other days it will be providing floating hotel accommodation on other islands.

So if each of the 1,321 cabins are being occupied, that is a subsidy of US$811.07 per cabin per night.

As the ship is only spending 14 out of the 20 days charter (not 28 days as the Minister stated) in Barbadian waters, what contribution is being made by the other Caribbean territories?

Adrian Loveridge