The Premier should have an official residence, argued the Opposition Senate leader.

And Sen. Milton Scott suggested that it may be time to retire the Premier's official car -- the navy BMW, GP1.

The comments came during yesterday's Senate budget debate on nine Government departments which do not belong to any particular Ministry.

Combined the Governor and his staff, the Legislature, the Judicial Department, the Attorney General's Chamber, the Office of the Auditor, the Public Service Commission, the Cabinet Office, Personnel Services and Government Information Services will share a $20,315,000 budget or four percent of the Government's annual budget.

Sen. Alan Marshall , who moved the debate, said that the Cabinet Office will receive $2,100,000 this year -- an increase of eight percent.

Travel expenses will receive a 20 percent increase while $60,000 will go towards rental expenditures.

Sen. Scott argued that $302,000 travel budget was "quite expensive'' and requested a detailed analysis of how last year's $252,000 travel budget was spent.

He also asked how much was spent on the Chief Ministers Conference which Bermuda hosted earlier this year and the cost of attending the Dependent Territories Conference in England.

But Sen. Scott had no grievance with the funds being allocated towards a house for the Premier.

"I don't think anyone can knock that grant,'' he said.

He even recommended looking for an official Premier's residence and suggested the Deputy Governor's Montpelier Street home.

Sen. Scott also pointed out that the Premier's car, GP1, was on its "last leg'' and was due to be retired.

Earlier in the debate, Senate heard that the Governor and his staff will receive $1,031,000 this year, a six percent increase over last year.

The Legislature, which includes both the House of Assembly and Senate, will have a budget of $2,702,000, an increase of $40,000 or two percent.

Sen. Marshall said the increase was due to an increase in salaries for parliamentarians and an upcoming fall visit from a delegation from the United Kingdom.

Sen. Scott suggested that it was time that there was a review of the salaries to give the public an accurate picture and have a "better appreciation of your worth''.

And he refuted claims that the Senate was a place that Bermuda could no longer afford.

The Judicial branch of Government will receive $5,054,000 this year with $2,348,000 of the funds going to the Supreme and Appeals Courts and $2,706,000 heading to Magistrates' Court.

Sen. Marshall said the department will raise $4,225,000 for the Government coffers, "unfortunately that revenue comes from the committal of crimes''.

The department with provides legal services to the Bermuda Government, the Attorney General's Chamber, will receive $2,719,000 for the upcoming year.