branded it: "Meaningless political rhetoric''.

Opposition MPs said it would throttle the economy through sweeping cuts, and fail to create badly-needed jobs.

And they blasted the $3 million proposed for education projects as "too little, too late.'' Government's commitment to building a large new prison was a damning indictment on its priorities, they claimed during the 13-hour Budget debate.

But the Premier the Hon. Sir John Swan was quick to counter-attack, describing the PLP's Budget reply as the worst he had heard.

He slammed the PLP for producing a "tax and spend'' Budget, which owed more to Alice and Wonderland than economic reality.

The PLP was not equipped or able to lead Bermuda into the 21st Century, with a world rapidly changing, Sir John claimed.

In contrast, the United Bermuda Party had positioned Bermuda well for the future.

And later Finance Minister the Hon. David Saul ridiculed the PLP's proposals, saying they demonstrated their ignorance of economics.

Dr. Saul said he believed people would compare the Budget and the PLP's reply, and vote accordingly at the next election.

And Deputy Premier the Hon. Ann Cartwright DeCouto also mocked it, calling it a "shallow, vacuous, empty vessel''.

But Shadow Finance Minister Mr. Eugene Cox said Government's Budget was based on false -- and overly pessimistic -- economic assumptions.

These included bleak forecasts of a just one percent rise in tourist arrivals and foreign currency earnings from international business.

The PLP would have projected increases of up to seven percent for both categories.

Among Opposition proposals in their reply to the Budget were: Redirecting the $1.4 million earmarked for Government's Sinking Fund into paying for more teachers.

Borrowing $11 million to funnel into education.

No cuts in Police, but a review of their manpower needs.

Setting up an unemployment insurance scheme and creating long term programmes for the jobless.

Waiving the hospital levy for small businesses.

Restructuring the Small Business Development Corporation.

Mr. Cox asked where $14 million targeted for education in June 1992 had gone.

And he said the proposed $1.4 million for the National Stadium was half that budgeted two years ago.

Government had dropped its youth theme -- reflected by its National Stadium allocation, and cuts in education, and social assistance, where funding was down by $1.15 million.

Mr. Cox also accused Government of raiding policies from the PLP's Throne Speech of November 1992.

It was a new twist on the tale of the "emperor's new clothes'', with Dr. Saul wearing the PLP colours.

Afterwards, PLP leader Mr. Frederick Wade said the proposed tax review had been stolen from his party.

Mr. Wade also called on Government to resign over its stop-start planned education reforms.

He challenged Government to go to the polls on the education issue.