Government has defended its decision to outsource its vehicles emissions testing contract, worth an estimated $1m a year, without opening it up for tender.

The choice of a company run by Donal Smith, said to be a cousin of Premier Ewart Brown, had been attacked as cronyism by Shadow Transport Minister Bob Richards who said plenty of garages would have loved a slice of the action.

But a Government spokeswoman said the decision had been scrutinised by the Ministry of Transport, the Attorney General's chambers, TCD and the Cabinet.

A Transport Ministry spokeswoman said: "It was a sole source tender, as opposed to an open tender due to the highly specialised equipment, procedures and facilities required to conduct the functions.

"Bermuda Emissions Control (BEC) Ltd. was the only company in Bermuda able to perform the function."

Government said the reason for the delay in emissions testing, promised back in 2002, had been because of the rigorous scrutiny applied to every aspect of the contract.

The row over the awarding of the contract dates back to that time with the United Bermuda Party pressing for it to go to open tender.

Premier Brown, who is also Transport Minister, has said Bermuda Emissions Control Ltd was picked by Cabinet "in light of demonstrated cutting edge expertise in the relevant area" and its work in delivering a report on vehicle emissions to the House of Assembly.

Senator Richards said BEC Ltd stood to earn more than $1m a year from the contract and a competitive process would have promoted efficiency, lower fees, and a commitment to genuine economic empowerment.

However, BEC Ltd. had been in talks with the previous UBP Government as they drafted legislation on pollution testing.