The dispute over the Bermuda Government’s immigration policies continued as MPs debated the budget for the 2016 census in yesterday’s House of Assembly.

A sum of $1.7 million has been allocated for the census, which Michael Dunkley, the Premier, called “a mammoth task of national importance” that would prove invaluable in guiding government policy.

Responding from the Opposition benches, Progressive Labour Party leader Marc Bean said the allocation would be invaluable given the “social re-engineering” being carried out through the Government’s immigration initiatives.

Government MPs objected repeatedly, and Grant Gibbons, the Minister of Economic Development, called the Mr Bean’s allegations “pure fabrication”.

Meanwhile, PLP MP Michael Scott, who is a member of the Boundaries Commission, said that census data could assist greatly with that organisation’s work.

Noting that the census is scheduled to begin on May 20, Mr Scott told the House he hoped that by July, “a body of work would have been achieved”.

The census will have an electronic option, and Mr Dunkley said it would be “wonderful” if as many as 25 to 30 per cent of people responded online.