Premier Alex Scott added to the war of words over the Salvation Army's services yesterday, telling the country he has met homeless people who avoid going to its shelter.

Mr. Scott revealed during his state of Bermuda address that the Health Minister will meet the charity's commander next week to address problem issues as she wants to work hand in hand with the Salvation Army.

Defending his Government's record on supporting the charity financially, Mr. Scott said it handed over $747,170 this financial year for the shelter and its programmes. A further $28 million preliminary budget has been set aside for a new shelter on North Street.

However, in off-the-cuff remarks made during a later question and answer session, he said that a month ago while out walking, he and his wife had met some homeless gentlemen.

When he advised them to go to the Salvation Army shelter, Mr. Scott said the men's response was "not there".

"They expressed dissatisfaction with the programme there. I won't go into details because it's anecdotal and it's their view, but the minister has had discussions with the Salvation Army about the programme there," he explained.

Although he then went on to praise the charity's current Dreaming in Colour programme, his public criticism of the Salvation Army was branded "an embarrassment" by Shadow Minister of Health and Family Services Louise Jackson.

"For every one homeless person who does not like the programme I can find several hundred more who can say that the Salvation Army did help them. I'm almost embarrassed to hear this sort of pronouncement from the Premier," she commented.

Mr. Scott was speaking out on the topic of the Salvation Army after the scale of the poor conditions at its shelter in Marsh Lane, Pembroke, were revealed last month.

Health Minister Patrice Minors hit back over the shocking reports, accusing the charity of trying to "repeatedly force the hands" of the government over funding, and saying she was "fed up" with its requests for more cash.

Mrs. Minors, whose Ministry funds services at the shelter, revealed plans to invite other agencies to tender for the running of the shelter amid "concerns" about the Salvation Army's management.

Major Lindsay Rowe, Divisional Commander of the Salvation Army responded by laying bare the charity's projected $300,000 funding shortfall.

He criticised the government for slashing the grant for the Salvation Army's life-saving Harbour Light addiction programme by $250,000 two years ago, forcing it to have to dramatically increase its appeal target.

Major Rowe could not be reached for comment yesterday.