Works and Engineering Minister Alex Scott called for the end of the GP car debate yesterday, saying "the public's right to know has been served''.

Mr. Scott was answering Parliamentary questions and making a Ministerial statement to the House of Assembly on "Government Vehicles -- GP Cars in Particular''.

He said discussions between his Ministry and the dealer, Stirling Motors, "have been on-going for several years'', and the Ministry "deals with several, if not all'' of the Island's dealers.

The GP fleet will be restricted to 80 vehicles with cars numbered GP 97, 98, and 99 being used as supplementary vehicles when Ministerial cars -- numbered GP One through 14 -- are in the garage.

Mr. Scott said allegations had been levelled at both he and Transport Minister Ewart Brown for months and they had "responded and explained all of these allegations away''.

Mr. Scott produced a November 18, 1999, purchase order -- which he said he was not obliged to do -- for GP Six, the navy blue Peugeot 406 car, for $43,600, plus $659 for a telephone and installation.

The car was registered on January 12. With the old BMW, GP One, finished, the Premier was now using GP Six, he said.

The Peugeot 406 is "not ostentatious, but is fitting for it's present use while providing dignity'' when escorting visiting dignitaries, Mr. Scott said.

And he defended the way he answered questions about the GP car pool on December 17, saying he did not "categorically state or infer that we will not be purchasing any cars within the year''.

He said the Ministers who did not have cars would not get new ones because of "budget constraints and the absence of immediate need''.

Mr. Scott said Shadow Transport Minister Erwin Adderley had not asked about Government's "intention to purchase (his language) oversize cars''.

"He simply failed to inquire about such a purchase,'' Mr. Scott added.

"However, the fact remains that only after the arrival of the Peugeot 406 did he revisit the exchange during the question period between the two of us and quite incorrectly/mischievously suggested that I had misled Parliament by failing to answer a question that he did not ask!'' Mr. Scott also countered suggestions he had blamed civil servants for the purchase of the oversize car and the management of the fleet.

Mr. Scott said he was "satisfied'' that Government's "vision'' to be responsible in the purchase of cars "has been implemented by having the local suppliers indicate what they felt was appropriate''.

"The choice was perfect for many reasons and they become more and more obvious on a daily basis,'' he said.

"Either right then or in the text of my two Ministerial statements on the subject.'' Afterward, Mr. Adderley said: "The concern I have is that we asked various questions to make sure that the law and the rules and regulations have been abided by.

"That they have had a meeting, that they did it before the cars were purchased, and that everything was done according to law,'' he added. "That question has yet to be answered. No answer on that question.''