his party's election pledges smacked of economic incompetence.

It showed the United Bermuda Party could not be trusted to manage a budget, he added.

"Their history in so doing has cost the Country millions of dollars in over-runs, extras and wasted money.'' Mr. Wade said the Progressive Labour Party would be costing its own programme, whenever possible, during the election campaign.

"We will ensure the public have a clear understanding of how we intend to proceed with our programmes once elected,'' he added.

Mr. Wade said the PLP planned to answer Government's claims point by point.

Government has claimed the cost of PLP proposals announced during the reply to the Throne Speech in the House of Assembly would be between $18.5 million and $25.1 million.

Premier the Hon. Sir John Swan and Finance Minister the Hon. David Saul said funding of the National Stadium would cost $9 million.

And the PLP's proposed unemployment fund would cost between $4.5 million and $7.5 million.

Dr. Saul raised fears the PLP programme could herald the introduction of income tax, if the party won power.

Last night, however, Mr. Wade lashed Government's record of financial management.

The estimated $9 million for the airport ended up costing the Country $25 million, he said.

The incinerator had been costing $250,000 a month for two years "with no end in sight.'' And the National Stadium was a "public disgrace'' after splashing out millions of dollars.

Mr. Wade strongly defended the PLP's plan to set up a means tested unemployment benefit scheme separate from the Social Assistance Programme.

And he said he believed it could be introduced at no extra cost.

"The UBP Government instead are dispensing social assistance as unemployment benefits.

"We plan to take those funds now being used by Government to assist people who are unemployed and put the funds in a separate unemployment fund. We therefore anticipate there would be little or no extra charge on the Consolidated Fund.''