BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC):

The Barbados Government has no intention of legalising prostitution or registering sex workers for the Cricket World Cup 2007, Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office, Reverend Joseph Atherley, has stated.

And the junior minister is warning that any local prostitute or anyone coming into the country to trade in prostitution either before, during or after the international sporting event, would be made to feel the full weight of the law.

His comments at a news conference on Tuesday followed widespread national debate over a suggestion from a civic group and at least one Caribbean Community minister of health that regional states should consider registering prostitutes for the international cricket event next year.