mismanagement.

The Opposition attack came shortly before the House of Assembly approved a $5.8 million overspend.

The money was that which Government had not budgeted for 1991/92.

But Shadow Labour Minister Mrs. Lois Browne Evans said she could not understand how the costs had not been forecast.

"The whole Country is being held to ransom because the United Bermuda Party did not anticipate this.

"I can't understand how they could not have anticipated it.'' Her outburst came as MPs on Friday considered the supplementary estimate for 1991/92.

Finance Minister the Hon. David Saul stressed the overspending was offset by underspending in other areas.

There was always a need to pay for the unexpected.

MPs learned as much as $3,426,000 of the overspend went on the Ministry of Education.

Education Minister the Hon. Gerald Simons said the money covered teachers' salaries after an award by a review board.

The second highest proportion, $1,226,000, was eaten up the Ministry of Health, Social Services and Housing.

Health Minister the Hon. Quinton Edness said the recession had pushed up demands for social assistance higher than anticipated.

Applications for Legal Aid had also risen, he added.

Also contributing to the overspend was the temporary employment scheme under the Works & Engineering Ministry. This accounted for $270,000.

And an unforeseen $130,000 was forked out on refurbishing Hamilton Police Station.

Other overspend areas included: a Customs X-ray room, $110,000; rehabilitation of Government housing, $25,000; and a water distillation plant, $33,000.