Junior Labour Minister Walter Roban said his boss David Burch had done his best to cut costs and do more with less.

He said local training costs in the ministry had increased to $187,000 from $51,000, an increase of $136,000 but this was a demonstration of Government's commitment the Investors in People programme.

He said the Immigration department was becoming far more efficient as could be seen in increased speeds of work permit production.

The hustle truck was another area demonstrating the Government's compassion said Mr. Roban who added that people had graduated to full-time employment such as cashiers, gardeners and airport ramp attendants.

"We are not just giving a hand out. We are providing a means to be self sufficient."

Shadow Minister Shawn Crockwell questioned the Ministries budget of $1 million on the hustle truck saying that if it is only supposed to be a transitional programme, why is it so much.

Mr. Roban said: "There has been no increase in the budget for the hustle truck from the 2008/2009 budget, rather that it was moved to Bermuda Housing Corporation where it can be better managed as a programme."

Empowerment was at the heart of many of the ministry's programmes argued Mr. Roban who added that the Hope for Life bus was a "vehicle for change".

And he said Government was helping people own their own homes by providing interest free loans for deposits for first time house buyers and also axing stamp duty for first time buyers on properties under $750,000.

Turning to Police he said the force was just ten short of its full compliment of 477. About 52 percent are local and 48 percent from overseas.

Savings would made on travel, training, supplies and printing said Mr. Roban but cuts would not impact officers on the streets.

Trainers would be brought to Bermuda so more people could get instruction as it was cheaper than sending police overseas.

And there would be fewer recruitment trips now numbers were nearly at optimum, said the Junior Minister, while overtime costs were also predicted to fall for the same reason.

Money was also being put aside for a new Police HQ to replace the ageing facilities at Prospect which also need running repairs while work continues on the Police/Court building in Hamilton.

He said $8.8 million was being put towards replacing Police vehicles. "But every effort is made to keep them on the road for as long as possible."

But he said many were on the road 24 hours a day so inevitably some new vehicles were needed.

Burglaries were one of the crimes on the increase said Mr. Roban who warned the public to lock their homes to keep hold of highly prized goods such as flat screen TVs.

Mr. Raban added that the Bermuda Housing Cooperation have started their own collections department which is being overseen by two staff members.

"It is a new department which will be dealing with clients of BHC who owe them money. They will put them on a plan to deal with their arrears."

Mr. Roban said the monies owed to BHC are primarily over due rents from low income earners. They decided to create this new department and deal with the rents internally instead of paying money our to Bermuda credit.

"This department has been created to help the socially and financially challenged," he said.

It is believed that BHC would be more efficient if they handled their own customers, which will decrease the number of those being sent to Bermuda Credit Association.