GOVERNMENT is spending nearly $15 million on foreign consultants, according to figures obtained by the Opposition.

And last night the United Bermuda Party accused Government of snubbing local consultants in favour of foreign rivals when contracts are put out to tender.

Shadow Finance Minister Bob Richards pointed out that, when in Government, the UBP had always sought to award contracts to island firms, believing workplace opportunities should go to Bermudians first.

"But today, the PLP Government appears to have abandoned its commitment to Bermudians first through a massive reliance on foreign experts," said Mr. Richards.

"This is illustrated in answers to Parliamentary questions showing millions of dollars spent on what amounts to a private army of specialists to help it run the country.

"This number does not include consultants hired at pay rates as high as $233 an hour nor does it include contract add-ons for transportation and accommodation that can add hundreds of thousands of dollars in extra billings."

Mr. Richards acknowledged that overseas specialists had been hired in the past but added that "it has been a practice conducted on an as-needed basis to ensure Bermudians were not passed over and to control costs".

"We are seriously concerned about this huge reliance on overseas consultants, not because any one of them is unqualified to do the work but because it appears the Government routinely favours them," he said.

Mr. Richards highlighted one recent contract recipient - Atlanta-based Ambling International Consulting Ltd.- which, according to Government answers to written questions submitted by the UBP, is being paid more than $110,000 a month for separate jobs with the Departments of Works & Engineering, Tourism and Environment.

"Ambling was selected over at least four other locally based groups who bid for a contract to overhaul Planning Department procedures and legislation, without an explanation why they were chosen," he said.

"Serious doubts about the integrity of the Planning Department contract award have been raised by local bidders since their knowledge and experience with local planning issues ran deep.

"Ambling is being paid another $460,000 to provide Tourism with "hotel development advice" and to provide Works & Engineering with advice on the Southlands-Morgan's Point switch, the clean-up of the Morgan's Point, Club Med in St. George's.

"The widespread hiring of overseas consultants, particularly for basic job functions in various ministries, suggests the Government has no faith in Bermuda's civil servants to do the job. Proposals by the Premier in parliament to hire a foreign consultant to analyze Government's own travel expenses, plus another to shore up Bermuda's international image, is evidence of a growing addiction to foreign consultants.

"We believe the Government needs to make a clear statement about its overseas hiring policy, with specific reference to the Ambling contract award."