Labour Home Affairs and Public Safety Minister Terry Lister had a success story to recount in the budget debate on the Defence department and the Bermuda Regiment.

He announced zero budgeting had worked in the Defence Department with the axing of one unnecessary post with the saving of $54,000.

The minister announced the non-commissioned officers camp in June 2002 at Camp Blanding in Florida had been hit by the heat wand would be moved to Canada this year where the cost and heat would be lower.

Potential sergeants will go to the NCO cadre battle camp at Meaford Training Area in northern Ontario. The Minister said the changes in the Defence Act, passed with the agreement of all sides of the House, had significantly boosted declining regiment numbers while 646 were avoiding service.

He said an earlier attempt to get these young men via the courts had given limited success and led to the Defence Act change in July 2002 which allowed the regiment to round up missing recruits themselves.

He said it had helped boost those who turned up for the October 2002 call up to 95 percent.

Mr. Lister said those completing the course had hit 160 in 2003, reversing the downward trend over more than the last decade.

He said as long-time avoiders were finally brought in to the Regiment the average age of recruits increased and disciplinary performance increased.

He said it could be attributed in part “to the presence of a significant number of older men”.

Along with the impressive call up Mr. Lister said there was a high level of acceptance of the service once recruits were actually enrolled.

He said: “Confirming this lack of inhibition or objection, 69 men, or four out every ten who completed the camp, volunteered to make twice the commitment by attending for the completely voluntary potential non-commissioned officers cadre.”

He said a review in 2000 had determined that the regiment should have an operational strength of 600 but there were only 417 in by the end of December. The Minister said the Regiment will soar in numbers in the 12 months from April. Because of this, funds were being boosted by an extra $1,376,000 to $5,816,000.

He said the growth in manpower had knock on effects in budgeting with annual bounties going up by $374,000, overseas camp pay and costs going up $165,000.

The NCO section will also be expanded said the Minister with likely candidates being identified in the coming year.

The Regiment has exciting plans including the regiment attending the Edinburgh Tattoo.

He said the Regiment's 38th annual recruit camp in January next year will involve 360 recruits - about 50 more than this year's. The overseas camp in Jamaica in March 2004 will have 240 men - about 80 more than Camp Blanding's group this year.