Opposition Leader Dr.Grant Gibbons' Throne Speech Reply lacked substance and is for the most part "arrant nonsense", according to Finance Minister Eugene Cox.

Mr. Cox also took the Island's media to task for giving headline treatment to the United Bermuda Party's criticisms and not asking challenging questions - a situation that never prevailed when the Progressive Labour Party was in the Opposition ranks.

In his Throne Speech Reply, Dr. Gibbons described Government's relief package to small businesses as "token assistance" which did not substantially amount to much. And he said that spending cuts should be made starting with the $4.4 million travel budget and the $112 million capital expenditure budget.

And he criticised the Throne Speech for its lack of mention of training needs, affordable housing and the cost of healthcare.

"My immediate reaction on reading it is that it was lacking in substance. It seemed a rather weak-kneed response," said Mr. Cox.

"I think Mr. Gibbons is talking arrant nonsense. I certainly have given at least three interviews where we have talked about our concern for business generally," said Mr. Cox.

"Obviously we've said when we give that relief there will be a review after three months to see how things are. We don't know whether things are going to improve very soon."

He added : "What was pointed out on the floor of the House was that the Opposition Leader was really trying to suggest that the Government has not done anything in three years because he expected us to do everything he hadn't done in 30 years."

He asked : "How can he say that when in fact we have done much ?"

Mr. Cox said that the fact that there had been a budget surplus in each of the three years the Progressive Labour Party had been in Government "shows we can manage the financial affairs of the country in a sound manner. It's ludicrous for someone to say curb spending to give more relief. The media should not tolerate that kind of off the cuff remark".

He said that it was Government's responsibility to provide the public services that the public had come to expect. And it was "ridiculous" to cut those services or mothball projects like the new senior school project in order to give more relief.

"That's a stupid economic argument really," said Mr. Cox. "Because if Government stops spending, there will be more people out of jobs and on welfare." Government spending on, for example, public works, "is absolutely essential to keep Bermudians working at a time like this. Government has to do what it is required to do", he said.

And he rejected criticism of Government's travel budget, saying that "obviously" such spending is limited to trips deemed essential.

He said : "They are giving the false impression that we're spending when we should be saving but it's ridiculous because the money we're spending is keeping Bermudians employed."

He said given the uncertain nature of the economy going forward, Government was prepared to change course as circumstances dictate. "The throne speech is normally where Government tries to present programmes for the coming year. That includes legislative items but doesn't preclude anything new coming forward. It is not a blueprint enshrined in concrete. Certainly the Throne Speech doesn't mean we are not prepared to amend things as things change."

The Finance Minister added that a major shortcoming in the Opposition's Throne Speech Reply was that Dr. Gibbons offered few alternatives to what he was criticising.