Rental costs for the Marine Police have more than doubled after a price hike by the Corporation of Hamilton, MPs heard yesterday.

The 2008-9 estimate for the headquarters in Barrs Bay Park is $65,250 - more than twice the revised estimate of $30,500 for 2007-8.

Deputy Opposition Leader Patricia Gordon-Pamplin questioned the increase in the House of Assembly yesterday. "It's more than a 100 percent increase - was that a lease renegotiation?" she asked Government.

"What would have caused such a dramatic increase?"

But Walter Roban (Pembroke East) said: "With Barrs Bay Park the landlord is the Corporation of Hamilton and they have increased the rent."