and public transport in 1996/7, according to documents tabled in Parliament yesterday.

But it still managed to achieve a current account surplus of almost $10 million in that financial year.

The Government spending made up the bulk of the extra $6.69 million of funds expended in 20 different areas which complemented another $3.5 million on unbudgeted bricks-and-mortar projects.

New Finance Minister Eugene Cox tabled the two Supplementary Appropriation Bills for 1995/6 and 1996/7 at the House of Assembly yesterday to finalise the the funds which were not approved in the Budget.

The bills -- which are expected to have their second and third readings next week -- revealed that an extra $327,000 was spent on the Finance Ministry during the 12 months.

The hospitals also exceeded their budget by $1.95 million while the Bermuda Police Service spent an extra $1.37 million and the Public Transportation Board went more than $1.26 million over budget.

The Fire Services also veered over budget and will be officially appropriated almost $1 million by the new bill.

A large slice of the $3.5 million required for unbudgeted expenses on capital projects was spent at Bermuda's airport -- where upgraded facilities, roofing and ramp lighting went over-budget by $340,000.

On top of that was a $2 million injection into the airport's retail plan.

The bill is expected to also officially approve an extra $800,000 that was spent on asbestos disposal and the final cost of revamping Somerset Police Station which went over budget by $117,000.

Mr. Cox said the previous government was obviously responsible for the extra spending in each of the 20 different areas and the ten additional capital projects during the 1996/7 financial year.

"These two bills are simply to finalise the Supplementary Estimates for those two financial years which have already been debated and approved by the Parliament,'' he said.

"In most cases the money has already been spent so each of the Supplementary Appropriation Acts is merely to finalise that.

"It's just like at Budget time when we do the estimates and agree to vote away so many millions of dollars.''