Government came under attack yesterday from the Opposition during debate on the funding the Ministry of Telecommunications and E-Commerce is set to receive in the latest budget.

It was criticised for not having a clear plan for the future in regards to the industries and for the low amount of funding set aside for the Departments, particularly for e-commerce.

Opposition Leader and Shadow Minister for Telecommunications and E-Commerce Pamela Gordon said: "The concern we have is where is Government's position on e-commerce and telecommunications? "Is it to be the third pillar of the economy? Is it being seen as a viable, serious economic pillar of the Country? Where is the Country going with telecommunications and e-commerce?'' Ms Gordon said it was key Government do what it said it was doing and generate interest in the Island as an e-commerce jurisdiction or it would discourage businesses from coming to the Island.

"If they know there is some degree of uncertainty or that they will be unwelcome when they come here they will not invest here.'' There was very little in the budget in relation to how Government planned to take the industry forward, continued Ms Gordon, who focused in on the amount the E-Commerce Department was allocated for advertising and promotion.

"$150,000 will not go far,'' she said.

The Shadow Minister also targeted the lack of funding to schools to provide scholarships for e-commerce studies and cheaper Internet access.

Looking at certain US schools and their students she noted: "They can connect to the Internet all day and night for free because they recognise it is a necessity for their young people to appreciate what it takes to be a front runner in this new industry.'' Telecommunications and E-Commerce Minister Renee Webb required far greater funding overall to position Bermuda as an e-commerce hub and she needed it now because the industry was moving at such a rapid pace that if Bermuda hesitated it would fall behind its competitors, said Ms Gordon.

"We are concerned that Bermuda is not moving fast enough,'' she said.

"Bermuda is a front runner but day by day we are losing our position. The window of opportunity is closing.'' Shadow Finance Minister Grant Gibbons agreed, stressing that in e-commerce "things have to happen overnight''.

But Government backbencher Dale Butler disagreed, noting that other jurisdictions with ten times Bermuda's resources were still looking to the Island to see what it was doing and what initiatives it had in place. "We must be doing something that is right,'' he said.

However Ms Webb noted that the E-Commerce Department had received what "might seem to be a small budget''.

"I admit it could be larger,'' she added But she pointed out that the industry was evolutionary and the budget reflected that.

"We are taking the approach of going slowly but surely,'' she said.

Mr. Butler added that while more funds were needed, they would come in future Budgets.

Ms Webb noted that in marketing, the Ministry regularly teamed up with private sector organisations, in particular the Bermuda International Business Association, to offer joint marketing initiatives.

The Island benefited from this united front when overseas, stressed Ms Webb.

Ministry of Telecommunications and E-Commerce 2000/01 estimates Ministry responsibility: To provide support to the Government of Bermuda by promoting effective communications between the Government and the people of Bermuda; by assisting the Telecommunications Authority in the orderly development of telecommunications in Bermuda; by marketing and developing Bermuda into an e-commerce hub.

Budget estimate: $4,872,000 (last year $4,508,000) Revenue: $6,500,000 Budget allocations Computer Systems and Services $3,562,000 Telecommunications $970,000 E-Commerce $340,000 Model: Dale Butler More funds: Pamela Gordon Leader: Renee Webb