The first full PLP Budget -- and the first of the new millennium -- came and went quietly.

Finance Minister Eugene Cox -- dressed suitably conservatively in a dark blue suit, blue shirt and tie patterned with adding machines, calculators, paper and pens -- stood up to deliver his statement in a far-from-full House of Assembly just after 10 a.m.

In his trademark calm and precise style, he spoke for well over an hour -- any nervousness betrayed only by frequent mops of the Ministerial brow with an immaculately white handkerchief.

And -- seemingly unshaken by occasional heckling from the other side of the House -- he continued outlining the financial blueprint for the year in measured style.

Only Premier Jennifer Smith and Opposition leader Pamela Gordon clashed -- but only sartorially, the Premier in black, but with gold buttons, and Ms Gordon in pink.

But not all went off peacefully -- a clearly furious Ms Gordon buttonholed Government Whip Ottiwell Simmons outside the chamber to complain that the Opposition had been given copies of the Budget statement too late.

Mr. Simmons -- obviously aware that discretion was the better part of valour -- beat a hasty retreat to the Members' coffee lounge with Ms Gordon in hot pursuit.

Later, during the post-statement press conference, Mr. Cox slipped up in referring to a report by "Jeffrey Archer'' -- a disgraced ex-UK MP branded a liar and also a writer of best-seller fiction -- when he meant Dr. Brian Archer, author of reports on Bermuda's economy.

The atmosphere in the House lacked the buzz of last year -- a signal that euphoria over the Progressive Labour's Party's first, and landslide, victory at the polls had diminished.

And -- in contrast to 1999 -- the public benches were only sparsely populated as Mr. Cox delivered his speech.

Mr. Cox and his party, however, appeared to be settling in to the reality of power -- and the annual grind from one Budget to another -- with ease.

He said afterwards: "I was a bit surprised it was so quiet -- but there was probably a good bit to digest.

"I thought it went very well and I think our side was delighted -- I don't know about the other guys.'' And Mr. Cox blamed his frequent use of the hanky not on nerves, but on the House's erratic air conditioning.

"It was very warm, but it's the House. It's either too cool or too warm. I think the air conditioning definitely needs adjusted,'' he said. "You are psychologically under pressure, of course, but it wasn't that which was making me warm.''