Government has forked out more than $1 million revamping the Premier's new home.

But the total amount spent renovating historic Clifton before Alex Scott and his family finally move in could eventually spiral to nearly $1.5 million, Housing Minister Senator David Burch has confirmed.

The Opposition said that given the current housing crisis on the Island, costs for the Premier's official residence were excessive.

And the figures revealed by Government yesterday will raise eyebrows in some quarters. Former Housing Minister Ashfield DeVent told the House of Assembly in March that claims by the United Bermuda Party that renovation costs were running at $500,000 and rising were greatly exaggerated.

He placed the figure then at just $60,500, and said delays were down to the heated construction market and lack of an available contractor.yesterday asked the Ministry of Works and Engineering and Housing to explain Mr. DeVent's March quote in the wake of yesterday's announcement, and why the $500,000 figure was dismissed. There was no response at the time of going to Press last night.

Shadow Works and Engineering Minister Patricia Gordon-Pamplin said: "The Government has provided the People's House as a priority at great expense, when there is such a housing crisis."

She said overspends and late delivery were indicative of the way the Progressive Labour Party Government operated, and she added: "Whatever spin the Housing Minister has put on the inordinate expense pales in comparison to the desperate plight of so many families."

She said residents should be concerned that more than $1.4 million had been allocated when The Laurels was only recently renovated for former Premier, Dame Jennifer Smith, at "great public expense".

Sen. Burch yesterday confirmed that after the departure of Clifton's former tenant, the ex-Chief Justice Austin Ward, the house needed "extensive renovation".

The Housing Minister said once the sprawling architectural gem ? the original section of the property is more than 200 years old ? was earmarked for future Premiers, security upgrades were highlighted and the decision made to "completely restore the house".

Due to age and constant use, he told reporters, parts of the electric and water systems were deteriorating, most of the galvanised plumbing was rusting and wooden floors, stairways and doors were reaching the end of their natural life.

"The building was unacceptable for further usage without major renovation," said the Minister.

Ministry staff immediately put in replacement windows and carried out demolition work inside to prevent further deterioration, before a survey was drawn up, an interior designer chosen and a quantity surveyor consulted to help with the budget.

He added: "The costs budgeted to carry out works at Clifton were established after consultation with a quantity estimator. The budget established by the estimator took into consideration the interior renovations to the house and some exterior works.

"The contract was put out to tender and two bids were received ? one for $685,500 and the other for $799,440. The lowest of these was accepted and the contract was awarded to C10 Construction."

Costs relating to furniture, electrics, telephones and the security system were not included in the contractor's bid.

Sen. Burch added: "The total budgeted cost of these renovations is $1,459,836, and to date $1,033,716.90 has been spent on the project."

He said the total budget figure covered all renovations at the property. This included completely refurbishing the main house and apartment, construction of a new security hut for Police guarding the site, road paving, professional fees, installation of telecommunications equipment to link with Government communications network, a Belco service replacement and upgrade, landscaping, new security systems as well as internal billings and furnishings.

Mrs. Gordon-Pamplin, however, questioned Government priorities.

She continued: "Should a Premier have a house befitting the position? Absolutely. But when a site is chosen that requires such extensive expenditure and challenges the economic viability of the project, we must express concern regarding priorities.

"The people's money is being spent on the People's House to house the people's Premier ? while the people have no houses."

But Sen. Burch told the Press conference at Clifton the costs had to be put into context ? and said that Government currently spent $11.8 million each year maintaining its properties across the Island. These included Government House and the Deputy Governor's residence.

He said the cash pumped into Clifton would benefit Bermuda residents. He said this was unlike the situation in 1998 when the UBP Government bought Tamarind Vale as the Premier's resident.

"Over $400,000 was spent on renovations to it, only later to learn, following the 1998 General Election, that the house was privately owned by the outgoing Premier (Dame Pamela Gordon) and was not a Government property."

In response, Dame Pamela's sister, Patricia Gordon-Pamplin said: "Rather than ask about $60,000 of expenditure on Tamarind Vale which seems now to have grown to $400,000, the real question should be why the PLP have elected to renovate two houses for two different leaders at great public expense."

?The Premier has already made it clear that he was happy to stay in his Paget home. But he reluctantly bowed to pressure from his Cabinet in December 2003 after they insisted Bermuda Premiers should have an official residence paid for by the taxpayer.tried yesterday to contact Mr. Scott and ask what he thought about the price of converting the property on Middle Road, Devonshire, but was told to direct any questions on renovations to the Housing Ministry.

When asked for an update on the Clifton project in September, the Director of the Department of Communication and Information, Beverle Lottimore, said Mr. Scott was not focusing his attention on Clifton.

"The people of Bermuda being housed is more important than the Premier moving to Clifton," she said. "He already has a roof over his head."