an Opposition MP claims.

Derrick Burgess yesterday criticised Government's plans for 54 three-bedroom homes at Southside.

The Bermuda Land Development Company last week unveiled the different types of homes to Development and Opportunity Minister Jerome Dill.

But Mr. Burgess said he found the cost of the houses "a bit ridiculous'' especially for young, newly married residents who wanted to own their own homes.

"I find it a bit deplorable that Government is spending $120,000 on each house and selling them at the low $200,000 to the high $300,000,'' said Mr.

Burgess.

"They got those houses back at no charge from the US bases, and now they want to rob the people...it's just not the way to go.

"The Government is going into the business of making a substantial profit off the public...This situation is not going to ease up anything -- it's going to make matters worse,'' he added.

But Mr. Dill fired back at Mr. Burgess's claims, saying: "Mr. Burgess needs to stop and think before he speaks.'' Mr. Dill said the Southside development would improve the housing situation by freeing up accommodations at the lower end.

"It gives working men and women the opportunity to advance...These are very nice houses on separate plots of land available at a price that they could find nowhere else in Bermuda.'' And Mr. Dill said Mr. Burgess' colleagues would be "mortified'' by his comments which suggested an "unrealistic'' view on housing matters.

Mr. Dill said it was "outrageous'' to expect Government to give away housing after many Bermudians worked hard to earn their homes.

"If this is what he's saying, it sounds like under a PLP Government people can have something for nothing -- which simply isn't true.''