Close to half a million dollars has been allocated in the Budget for a Commission of Inquiry to examine how government finances were handled under the former Progressive Labour Party administration.

Meanwhile, Marc Bean has vowed to put in place a commission to look into the One Bermuda Alliance’s financial conduct if the PLP was restored to Government.

The Leader of the Opposition said he found it “interesting” that $480,000 had been found for the commission during a time of government austerity.

He added that the commission should get at least six months to carry out its work rather than the three months suggested by the Premier.

Michael Dunkley said the OBA would “not in any way flinch” from having a commission investigate its handling of taxpayers’ money, and told Parliament that its time frame would be guided by the recommendations of its chairman, Sir Anthony Evans.

During the Budget debate, PLP MP Walton Brown voiced regret that the commission was being held to a limited time frame, questioning whether its objective was “a serious examination of what many see as a systematic challenge within the civil service”, or if its motives were more “ominous”.

The commission will commence its work on April 1.

Mr Dunkley also provided a breakdown of consultancy spending by Cabinet in the 2015/16 fiscal year.

He outlined $185,000 to the Caribbean Community, or Caricom; $210,000 to Benedict Associates for the Employee Assistance Programme throughout the Civil Service: $142,000 for a Public Access to Information consultant; $95,000 to the United States lawyer Ken Levine; $106,000 to publicist Don Grearson; and $180,000 for a government negotiating team to mediate on labour issues.