The Salvation Army has stepped into the Clifton controversy by calling on Government to now find the cash to build a new emergency housing shelter.

Major Lindsay Rowe said if $1.5 million could be set aside to revamp the Premier's new official residence, then a permanent homeless base should be next on the agenda.

Asked if he thought the Clifton makeover had been money well spent, he told : "If there is money to do that kind of work at Clifton, then they should be able to find funds to do this."

The recent Throne Speech included an indication from Premier Alex Scott that the existing ageing shelter on Marsh Lane, Pembroke, would be replaced. He said work would commence on a night shelter for 200 homeless people, backed by a support scheme to help residents get back on their feet.

But Major Rowe said that Government had made replacing the temporary prefab site a priority every year since 2001. The existing buildings, built ten years ago, are now well into their third decade. "Each year it's a priority, but each year construction gets deferred," added the commander of the Bermuda division. "The complex at Marsh Lane was set up as a temporary building about 27 years ago.

"This needs to be a priority as far as the Government is concerned and we hope that available funds will be made available for a replacement." The Salvation Army comments came as a detailed breakdown of renovation costs at Clifton was released by Housing Minister, Senator David Burch.

Of the total budget of $1.45 million, $786,611 has been set aside for internal upgrades, $240,000 on furnishings, $276,000 on exterior works, $78,000 on infrastructure and $79,225 on professional services.Costs to date come to just over $1 million and include $14,282 on salaries, $73,712 on consultants, $9,648 on an interior designer, $772,379 on contractor payments, $163,663 on building and $32 on maintenance materials.

Details were released in a written answer to a question tabled by the United Bermuda Party in the House of Assembly. But Government still remained silent yesterday on a key question on Clifton renovation costs.News that the total budget at Clifton ? dubbed the People?s House ? came to nearly $1.5 million sparked criticism from the Opposition. They questioned why so much was spent on one property with the Island in the grip of a serious housing crisis.

In March, former Housing Minister Ashfield DeVent rejected Opposition claims that Clifton costs then stood at $500,000 ? and were rising. He placed the figure at $60,500.

yesterday asked the Ministry of Works and Engineering and Housing for a second time to explain Mr. DeVent?s comments in the wake of Thursday?s cost announcement. There was no response at the time of going to Press last night.

But a Ministry spokeswoman did respond to an Opposition question about why so much had been spent on Clifton when The Laurels had only recently been renovated for former Premier, Dame Jennifer Smith. The spokeswoman said The Laurels is occupied by the Chief Justice, Richard Ground. Speaking during a Press conference on Thursday, Sen. Burch confirmed that Clifton had needed ?extensive renovation? after its last tenant, former Chief Justice Austin Ward, left.

Once it had been earmarked as a home for all future Premiers, he said security had to be upgraded and a decision was then made to completely restore the property ? some of which is more than 200 years old.

Age and constant use meant parts of the electric and water systems were in a poor state of repair and wooden floors and stairways and doors were towards the end of their natural life.

Sen. Burch also hailed the ?outstanding workmanship? carried out during the revamp, and said the cash pumped into Clifton would benefit all Bermuda residents.

Mr. Scott and his family are due to move into the property early next year. Meanwhile, former Premier Dame Pamela Gordon has answered criticism about her living arrangements when she led the country.

Sen. Burch said the Progressive Labour Party had been told the property Dame Pamela used at Tamarind Vale had been bought to serve as the Premier?s residence. Sen. Burch said that after the 1998 election, the Progressive Labour Party found out the house was in fact privately owned by Dame Pamela, and was not a Government asset.But Dame Pamela?s sister, United Bermuda Party MP Pamela Gordon-Pamplin, hit back.

She said: ?The Government never bought the property. It was always a rental property and that was approved by the then Cabinet. She said under a rental agreement, Government paid a $5,000 per month housing allowance and Dame Pamela paid the remaining costs.