Health Minister Walter Roban denied he has misled the public regarding the number of people enrolled in FutureCare.

He claimed Shadow Health MP Louise Jackson has distorted facts on the issue.

Last week the Ministry answered Parliamentary Questions tabled by Mrs. Jackson. The answers revealed that between 2,363 and 2,671 seniors are enrolled in Government's broad insurance scheme.

Mrs. Jackson claimed: "This is a shocking figure that reveals the Government for many months has been misinforming the public about the number of seniors enrolled in the programme.

"Since April, successive Ministers from the late Nelson Bascome to Michael Scott to Walter Roban have been saying that 3,100 seniors were enrolled in the programme when monthly numbers were as low as 2,363 seniors and never higher than 2,671."

A spokesperson said yesterday Government has never stated 3,100 people were enrolled. According to the spokesperson, the figure represents those who could qualify for the first phase of FutureCare.

Minister Roban said: "This is yet another example of Mrs. Jackson deliberately attempting to mislead the public.

"If she can provide proof of where and when 3,100 was confirmed as the number of persons enrolled in the plan, I will apologise to the public. However, without such proof I am demanding an apology and retraction of the accusations made by Mrs. Jackson."

Last night Mrs. Jackson stood by her statements and said that the Minster was trying to "wriggle out" of previous statements by saying the Ministry has always said "approximately 3,100".