in two more cars for Ministers which are bigger than those allowed for the general public.

He said the importation of the Peugeot 406s flew in the face of a statement from Works and Engineering Minister Alex Scott that no other oversized cars were coming to the Island.

Mr. Adderley said there was no need for Ministers to splash out on large cars for themselves during a time when there were more pressing social needs.

And he said there was no justification for Ministers enjoying larger cars than the rest of the population.

Mr. Scott told the House of Assembly in January that his Peugeot 406, delivered in December, was not oversized because the law was amended to make cars of that size legal for Ministers and the Premier.

But Mr. Adderley said he was unaware of any amendments and Government Information Services (GIS) said yesterday that the Attorney General's Chambers was trying to find out when the changes were made.

Mr. Scott, whose department is responsible for bringing in the vehicles, was off the Island and could not be contacted for comment yesterday.

Adderley raps Govt. over Ministers' cars Transport Minister Ewart Brown said he could not recall when the amendments were made but believed they were made under the previous United Bermuda Party Government.

Dr. Brown rejected Mr. Adderley's criticisms and said the Island had more pressing problems.

The cars were brought in by Continental Motors last month for use by two Ministers, including Dr. Brown. GIS said the cars could also be used by the Premier.

A GIS statement said it was hoped five executive cars would be acquired for use by the Premier and Ministers.

Mr. Adderley said the only people entitled to larger cars than the rest of population were the Governor, the Premier, the Police Commissioner, Fire officers and the American Consul.

He told The Royal Gazette yesterday: "That's where it stops as far as I know.

The 406, in terms of Bermuda specifications, is oversized.

"Someone is now saying that the law was amended to make it possible for that to be extended to other Government Ministers but I am not aware of that amendment nor I am aware of the rational for such a change.

"Yes, the Premier and others such as the Governor can ferry dignitaries around but now they are extending that to other Ministers. If Ministers have a dignitary, I would assume they could go with the Premier in the Premier's car.

"Even if I was aware of the amendments, there is no justification for extending it.

"Why do we need to do this when we are in an austerity period and there are more pressing social needs such as building houses?. There are better things to spend it on rather than themselves.

"I can think of a lot of people in Bermuda, the President of the Bank of Bermuda or the chief executive of Bacardi, who might have dignitaries equal to those of Ministers who would like to have that car but we are not extending it to them, only Ministers.

"In the House on December 21, I asked Alex Scott whether there were any cars which exceeded the limit and he replied he was not aware of any cars.

"Three working days after that, the Peugeot 406, GP6, appeared on the roads.

In the next sitting of the House in January, I asked Mr. Scott to explain how he could tell me two weeks earlier that there were none ordered and now we find there was one which exceeded the limit on the road.

"His answer was that at the time I asked the question the car had not been ordered and he was not misleading the House. I find it very strange that we get a car that was not ordered and they get it here within a matter of a few working days.

"I then asked the question whether any other oversized cars were coming, and his response was `no'.'' Dr. Brown said last night: "Its a done deal. It's going to happen and people need to direct their attention to more serious matters. Cars, planes, who drinks champagne -- Bermuda has more pressing problems than that.'' He said he could not recall when the legislation was amended but believed it was done under the previous administration.

"The Minister would not be driving a car that was on the road illegally,'' he added.

He said he could recall the exchange when Mr. Scott allegedly told Mr.

Adderley that no more oversized cars were coming onto island but he expected more to arrive.

On the criticism that Ministers had better things to spend money on than bigger cars, Dr. Brown said: "Its apples versus oranges.

"You can always say money should be used to feed the hungry and clothe the poor, but we operate on more than one level. The Premier made a decision very early in our administration and we are now seeing it executed.''