Shadow Works Minister Patricia Gordon-Pamplin expressed disappointment on Friday night at Premier Alex Scott?s statement last week that his administration was not afraid to empower young, black companies with a Government contract.

Mr. Scott made the comments in his opening address to delegates of the Progressive Labour Party?s annual conference in reference to the failed Pro-Active Management Systems? contract to build the new senior secondary school.

?If the Premier intends to again go against his technical officers and to do things, the way he did with Pro-Active, he has to understand that he is using public funds and this is not a joke,? Ms Gordon-Pamplin said.

?This is not a low budget Shakespearean production. This is real life with real money and real problems that have to be addressed at a real way ? and forget the theatrics.?

The Premier has said in recent months that his administration had secured an understanding with major financial institutions to provide adequate credit to companies awarded a Government contract ? thereby avoiding some of the cash flow problems that beset Pro-Active.

Government terminated Pro-Active?s contract following a determination that the company would not finish the school by the agreed revised deadline.

But the company is claiming wrongful termination and the dispute is heading toward arbitration.