The Junior Minister for Transport will broach the emission testing contract controversy in the Upper House today.

According to remarks released in advance Sen. Caines will try to correct "significant misinformation now in circulation".

When he speaks the words, Sen. Caines will be within arm's reach of Shadow Transport Minister Bob Richards who has lobbed accusations of Government cronyism on this project.

Sen. Richards suggested a company run by Donal Smith won the contract because he has close ties to the Premier, said to be Dr. Brown's cousin.

Sen. Richards claimed plenty of local garages would have loved a slice of the action.

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

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

"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," she said.

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.

Sen. Caines will say today in the Senate that the testing facility puts Bermuda on track to meet vehicle emission standards in the United States, Europe and Japan. These standards were legislatively outlined five years ago, recommended by a consultant six years ago.

Sen. Caines statement continues: "In considering the implementation of the recommended hiring of a contractor to set up and operate a testing facility to inspect vehicles, government determined that rather than force the motoring public to attend at two separate facilities, one for vehicles safety inspection and another for emissions testing, a contractor would be sourced to carry out both the emissions test and the vehicle safety inspection."

The released portion of the senator's comments do not directly address the accusation of cronyism.

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.