After deciding not to debate whether or not he would get a 79 percent pay rise yesterday, Premier Alex Scott weighed in on a controversial relocation of the Auditor General's (AG) office by saying it was not for the AG to decide whether or not his office was big enough.

The Premier also said AG Larry Dennis turned down a large Bermuda Land Development Company (BLDC) office in Southside which meant he had to move into a third floor office in his current building.

"It's not for him to say it's not commodious enough," Mr. Scott said in the Motion to Adjourn in the House of Assembly yesterday. "My understanding was the space was more than adequate.

"If the Design Department of Works and Engineering feel the former office could be transferred, it's in good hands.

"It was not a case of coming in the midnight hour. Everyone knew he had to move."

The Premier also said the Ministry of Works and Engineering and Housing got no co-operation from the Auditor General, who wanted more office space.

"Ironically at the instigation of the Auditor General we cut, according to our resources, the notion of all our offices," he said. "Works and Engineering are the ones legally responsible, so they must move him out."

Continuing his "narrative," Mr. Scott said Mr. Dennis left the Island on the day before he had to move out.

While he had heard Mr. Dennis hold himself up as a very good auditor, he had not heard him say he was an architect or an interior designer, the Premier said.

However, Deputy Opposition Leader said the relocation jeopardised the AG, was "unacceptable" and "haphazard".

Mr. Dunkley also said he had a hard time buying the downsizing explanation when he looked at what Government spent.

"People say it was only done because the Auditor General was speaking out against Government. Despite comments from the Minister who sits in another place, it comes across clearly as 'We are going to get you'."

Mr. Dunkley asked how Government expected to look accountable, if the Auditor General had been put out of business.

"It was a childish move to get even," he said. "That office should be strengthened rather than downsized!"

Shadow Finance Minister ? who is also a member of the Standing Committee on the Office of the Auditor General ? said Mr. Dennis' office was being reduced from 5,000 square feet to 3,600 square feet.

"Notwithstanding the necessity to move, the new space was not enough. It was inadequate. The Committee met several times to broker a solution. We heard the side of the AG and wanted to her Works and Engineering," she said.

However, before she could continue Government Whip ? who is also chairman of the Standing Committee on the Office of the Auditor General ? said if the committee was going to report to the House, it would do so formally and not in a Motion to Adjourn. Speaker of the House agreed and Mrs. Gordon Pamplin changed the subject to Sen. David Burch's attempt to audit the AG office.

But then the Premier interrupted her and said Sen. Burch had already apologised.

"He accepted it was inappropriate and it was considered resolved," Mr. Scott said.

Earlier in the Motion to Adjourn, Mr. Dunkley said Government should lead by example, referring to statements made on Thursday by Minister for Drug Control Wayne Perinchief that all employers should institute mandatory drug testing.

"How can the Minister urge employers to do this when his own Government, who he represents, fails to do it themselves?," Mr. Dunkley asked. "I don't believe anyone on that side would test positive so why be afraid?"

And Deputy Premier announced that an inaugural Munich to Bermuda flight due to start today was cancelled because the German government opted to treat the Island as an Non-EU destination which required more paperwork.

Dr. Brown said he deeply regretted the non-arrival of the plane, which was fully-booked.