continue offering a high level of service despite budget cuts.

Mr. Marshall believes that Bermudians and visitors will benefit from alterations and improvement to services controlled by the department. But the Opposition have blasted cuts in services and fear problems in certain areas if staffing and training levels do not increase.

Mr. Marshall said revenue would be forthcoming from more ships and planes registering in Bermuda while cash would be saved by losing staff through attrition. But he said money will be spent on necessary improvements and safety measures in and around the Island.

While buoys around Bermuda will be checked and repainted the Island will be included in a Global Positional System which will enable ships to pinpoint buoys to within a few feet of their position using satellites, Mr. Marshall's plans to save $100,000 a year by cutting the early and late ferries between Hamilton and Somerset came under fire from the Opposition. But he said that money would be made from Government plans to register "bare boats'' which are registered by their owners in other countries but leased to people in Bermuda.

At present Bermuda is high in the ranks of countries who have ships registered with 106 ships and $3.5 million gross registered tons.

The Minister also revealed Bermuda pays $10,000 to the United Nations so that refugees picked up on Bermudian ships can find homes elsewhere.

Shadow Transport Minister Mr. Walter Lister praised the US Navy for their help in search and rescue missions off Bermuda.

But he later came under fire from former Transport Minister the Hon. Sidney Stallard (UBP), who said: "The US navy has spent many, many hours looking for Bermudians who are lost at sea and US personnel have put their lives at risk.

"For the Opposition to come up and thank them, while at the same time they are saying they should pay rent is hypocritical.'' Mr. Lister also asked why pilots, who lead ships into local ports, are being cut from 12 to 9.

He said: "Does the Government really appreciate the responsibility of branch pilots? Much of our income depends on them bringing tourist ships into port.

'' Mr. Lister also hit out at the Government's use of guest workers in certain areas of the docks and airport, but this was defended by the Minister, even though the dock staff referred to were sent home following a complaint by the union and then arbitration.

But Mr. Marshall defended the cuts saying pilots worked short hours and new recruits were already in training for the job.

National Liberal Party leader Mr. Gilbert Darrell questioned the use of tug boats for every ship and cruise ship coming into Bermuda. He pointed out that ships like the Horizon would be able to dock themselves.

But Mr. Stallard said: "Tug boats are there for safety reasons to make sure there are no accidents and channels are blocked by broken-down shipping.

"All we need is for a cruise ship to be blown ashore in the Cut Channel and we would not have another cruise ship for 10 years.'' Mr. Phillip Smith (UBP) also pointed out that cruise ship thrusters would undermine certain docks leading to regular repair costs.

Deputy Opposition Leader Mr. Walter Roberts called for all boats going outside the reefline to carry Emergency Position Indicator Radio Beacons, by law.

Mr. Dennis Lister (PLP) also called for buoys and land markers to be lit or to contain luminous coatings so they could be seen at night, to prevent accidents.

Outlining plans for the airport Mr. Marshall said improvements were being made to the arrival hall, there will be a new fire alarm and security system and new luggage trolleys were being bought.

He said Bermuda was served by seven airlines travelling to 11 gateway cities in North America and the United Kingdom.

He revealed Government is investigating selling the airport to a private body or introducing an airport authority. This again came under fire from the Opposition benches. Mr. Lister said that it concerned the PLP that the airport could be sold to a "quango.'' Describing new plans for the Transport Control Department, Mr. Marshall said future computerisation could mean driving licences and commercial vehicle licences only having to be renewed every 10 years.

And he said the Justice Tumin Report recommendations not to jail traffic offenders was also being taken up by the Government. In the public transport sector the Minister said that the system was so well maintained that buses arrived within five minutes of schedule 95 percent of the time. He said that complaints have diminished.

MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT, 1993 994 ESTIMATES Ministry objective: Responsible for marine and ports service, civil aviation ( including the airport), the Transport Control Department and public transport.

Budget estimate $19,708,000 (last year $20,615,000) Budget allocations: Marine and Ports $8,267,000 Civil Aviation $3,729,000 Transport Control Dept $1,552,000 Public Transportation Dept $5,848,000 Transport Headquarters $312,000.