Government MPs were accused of a "pathetic'' waste of public time and money when they shut the House of Assembly just after 2 p.m. yesterday.

Opposition politicians blasted Parliament's early finish as "disgraceful'', claiming they were not warned a series of debates would be delayed.

But Deputy Premier Eugene Cox insisted he had to carry over several items until next week because Government MPs were outnumbered in Parliament.

There were ten United Bermuda Party MPs in the Chamber when the House rose, with just eight members on the Government benches.

Mr. Cox said he had "no option'' but to delay five debates, which ended the session ten minutes after the lunch break.

And he criticised some of his own Progressive Labour Party colleagues, saying he had hoped more would turn up for the debates.

It is understood Telecommunications Minister Renee Webb could not be in the House until later in the afternoon because of her daughter's sports day.

Several other Ministers, including Attorney General Lois Browne Evans, were also missing from their seats.

One of the motions was to consider the Attorney General's $91,000 salary.

And United Bermuda Party MP Allan Marshall stressed he rushed to Parliament from his own son's sports day at Saltus Junior School for the debates.

"It's pathetic that the House rose at 2.10 p.m.,'' he said. "This is the business of the Country but Government is wasting time and money.

"I think everything's been carried over just because they want to have something to debate next Friday.'' Opposition Whip Cole Simons confirmed he had discussed the order paper with Government Whip Ottiwell Simmons in their regular Wednesday night telephone call.

Mr. Simons said: "I specifically asked what bills would be debated and he said we would do practically everything. He said items one to eight would be debated and only item nine would be carried over.

"I said that was fine and even at lunchtime today that was the impression I was under.'' Only items one to four were discussed and just one law was passed -- the Mortgaging of Aircraft and Aircraft Engines Act.

UBP Pembroke West MP Gary Pitman accused the PLP regime of "playing political tiddlywinks'' to make sure there was something on the agenda for next week.

And Opposition House Leader John Barritt said: "We were led to believe all of today's orders would be debated.

"Our side of the House was prepared to do business but the Government didn't want to do it and we have no explanation.

Report from the House: Page 4 No-shows cause early closure "It's incredible and we will have to ask them why this is. The Ministers responsible weren't in their seats.

"We couldn't even do the third reading of the Miscellaneous Taxes Amendment Act because there were more of us in here than them. They are disorganised.'' Mr. Cox told The Royal Gazette : "The UBP are right that there were more Opposition members in the House than Government members.

"But as far as I know we were playing it by ear to see what we could get done.

"Certainly for the Attorney General debate, I would have wanted the whole House to be here. But this is definitely unfortunate.

"Some members had other invitations and didn't make it back here in time but considering we have 26 Government MPs, I had hoped more would be here. I felt I did my duty by carrying over the relevant items.'' Government Whip Mr. Simmons said: "It's not that unusual. The Ministers responsible simply decided they were not ready.

"Those items will be on the order paper for next week.''