on the road.

And The Royal Gazette has learned a "price value'' review of the vehicles has been launched.

Fierce controversy has surrounded the number of Government vehicles on the road -- particularly during a recession.

The Bank of Butterfield's Chief General Manger Mr. Michael J. Collier recently called on Government to cut its fleet.

Bermudians were irritated by the sight of GP vehicles while they were tightening their belts and making do with just one car per household, he said.

Mr. Collier said 15 years ago there was only one Government vehicle.

Opposition leader Mr. Frederick Wade called for a pool of Cabinet cars to be set up.

"Ministers should learn to share. I think Government cars should be used sparingly, and only when necessary,'' he said.

Statistics given to The Royal Gazette by Government Information Services reveal there are now 88 GP cars.

The Premier the Hon. Sir John Swan and Secretary to the Cabinet Mr. Ken Richardson both have one.

The eight Ministers with cars are from the departments of Management and Information Services; Education; Health, Social Services and Housing; Environment; Tourism; Transport; Works and Engineering; and Community and Cultural Affairs.

One of those missing from the list is Finance Minister the Hon. David Saul.

Several Permanent Secretaries also have cars, including those from Education, Health and Social Services, and Works and Engineering.

The Health department has the largest number of cars.

These include a 32-strong pool used by health visitors, social workers, and other professionals.

Four GP vehicles are also allocated to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, three to the prison, and one to Youth Teen Services.

The ministry with the second highest number of cars is Works and Engineering.

Superintendents have seven cars, and there is also a 15-strong pool.

This is used by all departments in the Government Administration Building, the Post Office, and Global House.

A Government Information Services spokeswoman said most cars were maintained by Works and Engineering.

She added annual costs per car came roughly to $3,000, including fuel, insurance, servicing, licence, and preparation for Transport Control Department.

Yesterday Ministers with GP cars strongly rebutted any accusations of extravagance.

Management and Information Services Minister the Hon. Mike Winfield, said he regularly used his Mitsubishi.

It was more "cost effective'' than using a bike or a taxi, he added.

And Sen. Winfield stressed he dipped into his own pocket for oil and gas.

"Most people in large businesses have a fleet of vehicles which are used for legitimate purposes.

"Government is the same and has its own fleet, including utility vehicles.

"We have to get around and see our clients -- not be holed up in offices.'' Sen. Winfield said, however, Government was looking at reducing its vehicles.

"We are extremely serious about cutting costs.'' Works Minister the Hon. Clarence Terceira, who also has a Mitsubishi, said his portfolio took him all over the Island.

"I have to go all over the place at all hours of the night and day.'' Dr. Terceira pointed out, however, the number of GP cars had shrunk over the years.

Two years ago a pool system was introduced, which had helped decrease numbers.

Government had also just started a "price value'' review of its current fleet.

"We are looking at the cars, their prices, where they come from, and where they should come from,'' he explained.

Dr. Terceira added, however, he believed criticism over the number of GP cars was often misguided.

"I believe the present number is manageable. It's quite acceptable,'' he said.