estimates for the year.

For there is a shortage of the 200-plus page official estimate of revenue and expenditure for 1997/98.

But Finance Minister Grant Gibbons -- the man in charge of the country's purse strings -- said Government was practising what it preached and was not squandering taxpayers' cash.

He was speaking after The Royal Gazette -- which has one copy of the book -- found a dearth of the document in Government departments.

Officials at the Finance Ministry said they had no copies to spare -- and suggested the House of Assembly.

But Parliamentary clerk Carolyn Todd said: "They cut down the number printed a while ago because it was very expensive.

"We used to get so many, they were thrown out. Now we get just enough for the Members, the Senate and the media.'' And the Government Information Office revealed they could not help, either.

A spokesman said: "About three years ago, Government cut back on costs. They found ways and they cut back on the estimates severely. They now have it down to a fine art -- there's no fat in their programme at all.'' Dr. Gibbons, however, denied his Ministry was penny-pinching and said the first copies were subject to amendment after the Budget debate in the House, so a huge print run would be a waste.

He said: "The initial print run is relatively small -- they don't do a lot of extra ones. When they're first issued, they're as rare as hen's teeth. Once it's approved, there are more.'' GRANT GIBBONS -- `When they're first issued, they're as rare as hen's teeth.'