Major Lindsay Rowe, Divisional Commander of the Salvation Army in Bermuda, has refused to engage in a war of words with Government after the charity was publicly criticised by Premier Alex Scott.

Instead, Major Rowe expressed hope that a meeting in the near future between himself and Health Minister Patrice Minors would clear the air and agree a way forward.

Mr. Scott caused controversy on Thursday when he said Government was dissatisfied with the way the Salvation Army runs its programmes, and questioned whether it provides value for money.

He backed up his comments with anecdotal evidence from an encounter with some homeless people who, according to the Premier, did not want to go to the Salvation Army for help.

Shadow Minister of Health Louise Jackson later branded his comments ?an embarrassment?.

Yesterday, however, Major Rowe told ?I don?t really want to get involved with that. That?s the purpose of the meeting. There are obviously some differences but we would rather address that internally. After the meeting we will hopefully be on the same page.?

Outlining the anticipated agenda, he said: ?We will be asking the government to clarify their expectations and what areas they are dissatisfied with so that together we can determine how we can address those issues.?

Referring to the deep funding crisis that the Salvation Army is currently facing, Major Rowe confirmed that this is something he would also be discussing with the Minister.

Mrs. Minors had previously caused controversy by telling the House of Assembly in December that she was ?getting a bit fed up? with the charity?s requests for more money.

Major Rowe also took the opportunity yesterday to point out that the Salvation Army is managed by several boards in a way that ensures ?transparency and effectiveness?.

These boards will meet in the coming days to discuss the future of The Salvation Army?s management of the government-owned emergency housing shelter in Pembroke.

Representatives are also likely to participate in the talks with Mrs. Minors.