tomorrow's Budget.

And he ailing tourism industry may be in line to get another shot in the arm in the last financial package before the General Election.

But a touch of tenderness in dealing with the Island's social problems can also be expected -- with the possibility of extra money for social programmes as well.

And further moves towards a joint public/private partnership -- signalled by last year's commitment to a Tourist Authority -- can be expected.

But there are likely to be no major surprises in a Budget set to stress a continuous and graduated approach to Bermuda's run-in to the new century.

And Finance Minister Grant Gibbons is unlikely to announce much change in Government's approach to international business.

Instead, he is more likely to rely on a steady growth in that sector of the economy to increase the flow of cash into Government's piggy bank.

But more initiatives for the development of the Base lands could also be in the pipeline.

Last night Dr. Gibbons was staying tight-lipped over his Budget blueprint for the next financial year.

But he said: "As we have traditionally done, we have prepared a Budget which we think is right for the times and good for Bermuda. But I think people will simply have to wait and see.'' The Budget statement is the culmination of work which started last summer.

It is understood much of was on paper before last Christmas, with last-minute fine-tuning carried out early this year.

Dr. Gibbons confirmed: "From the annual point of view, from my perspective there is a great deal of continuity there.

"The economy also dictates how the Budget is adjusted from year to year.'' The Throne Speech, however, delivered last November, is a good indicator of Government's priorities in the year to come.

Budget may target crime So healthcare and the welfare of the Island's senior citizens is likely to rate a mention in the Budget statement -- as will education, particularly in the fast-moving world of high technology.

Money could also be pumped into preparing the City of Hamilton and `back o' town' for the social and business challenges of the new century.

And extra cash could be earmarked for Prison Service training -- for both staff and inmates.

Dr. Gibbons, however, is unlikely to let the fact that 1998 is an election year influence his stewardship of the economy to a major degree.

He said: "One always tries to take account of the environmental, social and political scene we are in.

"But generally, Budgets revolve more around economic issues than they do around political ones -- although one has to be sensitive to the political issues at the time.

"An election being called this year does not make a tremendous amount of difference to what we thought was important to do from this year's perspective.''