angry exchanges from both sides.

MPs agreed to three supplementary estimates -- one of which belonged to the former UBP administration -- which came before the House just five months after the PLP's first budget.

Opposition MPs raised concerns over the additional spending, querying whether the Government would be coming back for more money every few months.

And they slammed the Government for not allowing them to have a general debate on the issue.

UBP MPs accused the PLP of "changing the rules'' by moving the items into committee session, before they had a chance to raise questions on the estimates.

Shadow Tourism Minister David Dodwell claimed the PLP had "stifled debate'', adding that it was "unbelievable'' that the chance for debate had been missed.

And UBP MP Allan Marshall, speaking after the debate, claimed that the Finance Minister "didn't seem to have control'' over Government departments and their spending.

"This could be extremely dangerous because if they continue, they are increasing the budget by almost ten percent,'' he said.

Mr. Marshall said the UBP had left the new Government with a surplus of $65m, after the previous administration underspent by $10 million -- handing over the reins with a healthy bank balance.

"We left extra money and they are coming back for more, we should be concerned about spending.'' He warned that Government could be in a dangerous situation if revenues didn't hit the projected $551 million this year.

The supplements -- $5.89m and $4.2m -- include cash for education, finance, the judiciary, water plants and $5 million for the National Stadium project.

And the UBP's 1997/1998 supplementary estimates total $20 million across the board, including several million for CedarBridge Academy.

During debate, Finance Minister Eugene Cox hit out at the former Government, saying that they were now picking up what had been left over by the UBP.

He said the PLP was up to date with its finances and slammed the UBP for spending money before they came to the House of Assembly for approval -- bringing their supplementary estimates late.

"We could have waited until December to bring this forward but we are interested in transparency,'' he said.

And he hit back at UBP protests over not having a debate, saying it was up to them to catch the Speaker's attention to speak.

But later, Opposition Leader Pamela Gordon told the Royal Gazette that the estimates were late because the Public Accounts Committee -- which she said Mr. Cox was chairman of for some of the years -- did not report between 1993 and 1998.

MPs agreed to carry over debate of the British White Paper, Partnership for Progress and Prosperity -- Britain and the Overseas Territories, the Electronic Transactions Act 1999, the Land Tax Amendment Act 1999, the Motor Care Amendment No2 Act 1999 and the Rent Increases (Domestic Premises) Control Amendment Act 1999.

Finance Minister: Eugene Cox hit out at the former Government, saying that they were now picking up what had been left over by the UBP.