Government could have saved $10 million if it ordered side loading rather than front loading ferries, the United Bermuda Party claimed yesterday.

Shadow Finance Minister Grant Gibbons made the claim as MPs debated a Government request for an extra $3.2 million to develop the new fast ferry system.

Dr. Gibbons said Government had made a "major error'' in not including the $3.2 million cost of refurbishing the docks to accommodate the ferries when it drew up the Budget.

But Works and Engineering Minister Alex Scott refuted this, saying the money was to be spent on infrastructure when it was identified.

MPs were discussing Supplementary Estimate Number One of this year for all of the dock work in Government's plans, including the biggest portion, $1.25 million, which will go toward a breakwater for a ferry stop at Tribe Road Number Three in Southampton.

Dr. Gibbons told MPs: "Someone made a major error when this Budget thing went through because they didn't make provision for the refurbishemnt of the docks.

"This $3.2 million is just the thin end of the wedge of the broader spend of $16 million (for the ferries).

"We did not get the chance to discuss this in the Budget and, effectively, what we are hearing is to have front loading we are undertaking an extraordinarily expensive public expenditure project.

"We are saying `find a system that does side loading and spend $10 million less and perhaps spend it on housing'.'' Mr. Scott said: "The $3.2 million is for infrastructure. It has been identified by the technical officers that to bring the project along we need to get $3.2 million for infrastructure.

"When the Tranport Minister (Dr. Ewart Brown) came before, he wasn't making an error. It was just the lump sum needed to bring the project to this stage.'' He said he "strongly refuted'' the suggestion that Government should have gone for side rather than front loading ferries.

"Nothing could be more user-friendly than front end loading.

"For seniors or children or anyone having to be carried, the docks and the ferry are the same level.'' Shadow Works and Engineering Minister C.V. (Jim) Woolridge complained the new ferries were a "fait accompli'' and said he had "real concerns'' that Parliament would not get a chance to debate the matter properly.

"I have some real concerns with this,'' he said. "I think the answer we're getting is that `we'll come back to you in due course'. We haven't had the answer we require.'' When committee chairman Elvin James suggested the debate was going astray, and on to the topic of the rationale for the ferries and not the cost and efficacy of the docks, Mr. Woolrige said: "If we don't do this, the next time we come it will be a fait accompli.

"But I think I'm within my rights to ask these questions because I think this (money) is something the taxpayer is asking us to go and protect,'' he added.

Mr. Woolridge said he could not see where Government would get the ridership for the new ferries considering Belmont, Palm Reef and Lantana hotels and cottage colonies were closed.

"Somebody hasn't done their homework,'' he added.

Shadow Transport Minister Erwin Adderley questioned the need for front loading ferries, noting the cost for each of the four was $2.5 million, while $26 million was budgeted.

"$16 million for the infrastructure?'' he asked. "We would just like to have some information and answers on this. In my opinion, front end loading ferries are not going to provide an increase in ridership.'' Grant Gibbons Alex Scott