from the Police, it was revealed yesterday.

And "inter-personal behaviour'' training by a British expert has also paid off, Finance Minister the Hon. David Saul told MPs.

The House of Assembly also heard the amount of seized contraband, particularly drug materials, had "skyrocketed''.

Dr. Saul was speaking during a budget debate on Customs, Government's single biggest income earner.

He also defended cash spent on overseas training trips and the visiting trainer, saying Customs continually strived to meet international standards.

Airport investigations are now done by Customs officers with a few Police under Customs command. The old joint importation squad, made up of Police and Customs, had been replaced by the "rovers'' Customs team.

"The number of complaints, valid or otherwise, has dropped as a consequence of putting it all under Customs officers, and having a senior Customs officer.'' He said the quality of the department, and its standard of professionalism, was quite impressive.

Praise had been received from overseas professionals, and problems raised by locals and visitors continued to drop.

Officers are now trained to be much more pleasant, said Dr Saul. And before someone is taken away to be searched, a senior officer was now informed. The person could appeal to the senior officer to have a lawyer or friend present.

"This has led to a much more sensible and polite way of dealing with that unfortunate type of incident,'' he said.

Bermudians have decided it is better to pay duty than try to fool Customs by false declarations, he said. This had led to a $50,000 drop in penalty payments.

Opposition spokesman Mr. Eugene Cox asked for an explanation of the role of UK customer services consultant Mr. Bob Marsden. He asked if Mr. Marsden's stay on the Island had been lengthened, and claimed he had been seen driving a Government vehicle.

He also understood Customs officers went on courses in Canada, Britain and Miami.

"Government says we have no money, but in some areas people seem to have money as and when they need it.'' PLP MP Mr. Eugene Blakeney said he was glad Customs were handling most of their own duties, but hoped officers would still work closely with Police.

"There seems to be some form of friction with regard to the working together, and I hope that that is something that can be resolved.'' He said Customs should maybe adopt practices from one country, rather than trying to keep up with several.

Training by local officers was a way of cutting spending, he said. "We've had a lot of training and there are officers within the department that I understand over the years have very competently trained those under them.'' Dr. Saul pointed out new officers were trained by a local training officer.

Mr. Marsden was brought in for a year to train staff who regularly deal with people.

"The sheer psychological information that he has given, and the information given to the rover team, has contributed to the dimunition in the number of complaints.'' If he had been seen in a van, this was because such vehicles were pooled and available if needed for a trip. Mr. Marsden had not been given a vehicle for personal use.