because claimants are taking advantage of the system, Opposition Leader Pamela Gordon claimed yesterday.

Ms Gordon said: "I want to know whether this new Government in this new Bermuda will put a capping on criminal injuries compensation because it's growing very high.'' But Government members interrupted as Ms Gordon spoke, with one shouting "capitalist.'' Ms Gordon was speaking as Premier Jennifer Smith revealed a massive $350,000 increase in the criminal injuries payment pot for the coming year, compared to the $325,000 original estimate for last year.

Ms Smith said: "There is an increase of $350,000. That is due to the fact that in the past, insufficient funds have been allocated.. "In addition, there has been an increase in the number and nature of cases the Compensation Board deals with.'' But Ms Gordon said: "Many people are now taking advantage of the system -- many times, it's people who have been in a less than desirable situation, a public fracas, then they apply to get some compensation.'' Ms Gordon added: "People will not believe that the Criminal Injuries Board is not just a way to go out and find another pay cheque.

"There are people who get hurt in very serious circumstances and don't apply.

"But there are some people who are seen to have been taking advantage of it.'' Ms Smith -- who dealt with non-Ministry Departments as part of the Budget debate -- did not return a call from The Royal Gazette last night.

The cost of Legal Aid is also expected to jump this year -- up $100,000 to $975,000, an eleven percent increase on the 98/99 estimate.

Shadow Finance Minister Grant Gibbons questioned whether full use was being made of a special Legal Aid lawyer and assistant to cut costs, in view of the increase.

Ms Gordon added that the computer system dealing with maintenance payments needed attention.

She explained that if three months' payments are missed, the computer system made the file "dormant.'' Ms Gordon said that meant the person missing the money had to go in front of Magistrates' Court to appraise the court of the late payments.

Government MP Delaey Robinson added: "We should not have mothers owed money in maintenance payments -- and when they arrive at court they are given excuses not money.

"This is not something we want to hear. We need to have the administrators of the court acting in an energetic and helpful manner in the execution of their duties.'' Shadow Legislative Affairs Minister John Barritt added: "There is an expression `justice delayed is justice denied.' "When it's delayed because we don't have the resources it creates an even worse impression.'' And he called for hi-tech court reporting, as well as new premises, to be introduced to speed up the system.

The total cost of the judicial system, the House heard, will cost a whopping $5.57m to run in the coming financial year -- ten percent up on the previous estimate.

Ms Smith said the cost was offset by $2m in fines for traffic offences and $1.3 million in parking fines, as well as the cost of licences and other income which is expected to total $4.23 million.

Ms Smith also told the House that the Attorney General's Chambers would cost an estimated $2.9m this year -- up ten percent on the previous estimate. Part of the cost will be for the creation of a new Director of Public Prosecutions, necessary because of plans to make the Attorney General a political office.

Ms Gordon asked if the Premier could say -- in view of legislation already tabled in relation to a DPP -- what the current position was and if the AG designate could be named. And she questioned how much the DPP would cost -- and why full details had not yet been released.

Legislative Affairs Minister Lois Browne Evans said: "It seems to me if it costs this Government a lot more money..we are bringing about a greater democracy when you can see a separation of powers and having criminal justice separated from politics.'' Earlier, Ms Smith said the cost of Governor Thorold Masefield and his staff would amount to just over $1.05m this year -- $20,000 up on the original 98/99 estimate.

She said salaries made up $576,000 of this year's total -- an estimated increase of $16,000. But she added wages would drop by $11,000.

But she added that the Governor's entertainment Budget was expected to increase by $12,000 to $109,000. It also included, she added, reparation of foreign staff, as required by law, and uniforms.

But Government backbencher Ottiwell Simmons said it was time for a Bermudian Governor to be appointed.

Non-Ministry Departments 1999/00 estimates The following departments do not belong to a designated Ministry and are combined under this heading for presentation purposes only. Each of the seven departments shown has its own separate objective and does not fall within the portfolio of a particular Cabinet Minister, with the exception of the Cabinet Office which is included in the Premier's portfolio.

Budget estimate: $16,499,000 (last year $15,793,000) Revenue: $4,777,000 Budget allocations Governor & Staff $1,051,000 Legislature $2,778,000 Judicial Department $5,577,000 Attorney General's Chambers $2,979,000 Office of the Auditor $1,837,000 Public Service Commission $83,000 Cabinet Office $2,194,000