handling area at the airport, a Government Minister said yesterday.

The news came as Acting Finance Minister Alex Scott told the House that executive jets using the special section would be charged $35 during the day and $50 overnight for Customs services.

Mr. Scott said: "There will be at least the need for two additional officers to provide these services.'' He added that the service might appear to be far above the concerns of the man-in-the-street -- but he said the customers for the private jet market helped generate the cash which kept the Bermuda economy booming.

Mr. Scott said: "The customer has already declared this service is fast, reliable and appreciated.

"It's a well-equipped facility. Government has been operating it without full recovery.'' But he said the aim was not to soak the customers but to break even in operations.

Mr. Scott added: "It's not costing the public anything and it is cost-effective.'' But Shadow Finance Minister Grant Gibbons said better use of manpower could be made for the new service.

He added: "I seem to recall when this issue of providing a service was discussed..the possibility was mooted of sharing the services of a Customs officer who would normally be at the airmail facility.'' Dr. Gibbons said the airport handled about four flights a day, sometimes leaving the on-duty airmail officer with nothing to do.

"There are times when we don't need a Customs officer at that facility sitting on his proverbial backside all day,'' he added.

But he agreed: "It's one of the services we need to provide to international business and it's certainly commensurate with Bermuda's position as an international jurisdiction.'' And Mr. Scott added: "It would be more accurate to say that it's a cost-recovery exercise rather than a profit-making exercise..but the economic benefit comes to the country from the product of these customers' activities on the Island.'' The new fees for Customs services will operate at the lower rate between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. and the higher one outside these times.

The regulations passed all the House of Assembly hurdles yesterday and will now go to the Senate.