The woeful economic climate was the theme of a long night in the House of Assembly, which saw Friday's budget debate continue until 4 a.m. Saturday.

Independent MP for Hamilton West Wayne Furbert tried to cheer things up by pointing out that the people of Bermuda have overcome slavery, segregation and hurricanes, so will no doubt weather the tough financial times too.

"We can make it through if we work together," he urged, quoting new US President Barack Obama's mantra 'yes we can'.

Mr. Furbert, who used to lead the United Bermuda Party, praised the PLP Government for measures to help people through child daycare allowances, assistance with buying homes and help with healthcare.

Mr. Furbert noted that the picture is not all gloomy rents are coming down and house prices are starting to drop. He reminded the people of Bermuda: "We are blessed" and "We have the ability to ride this economic hurricane to the hilt."

Louise Jackson, Shadow Minister for Health and Seniors, bemoaned the lack of attention given to seniors.

She said that at the same time Government is building a new urgent care clinic, it must be noted that the existing King Edward VII Memorial Hospital is in a poor condition.

Mrs. Jackson said not enough money had been put aside in the Budget for renovations.

She also claimed too much money was being spent on administration "upstairs" at the hospital in comparison to patient care downstairs.

Dale Butler, Minister for Culture and Social Rehabilitation, said although Government funding for Bermuda's 400th anniversary celebrations is now $2 million rather than $5 million he was glad the celebrations are still going ahead despite the economic climate.

Donte Hunt, Shadow Minister of Family Development and Social Rehabilitation said he would like to see a national housing masterplan to forecast supply and demand.

This, he said, would take into account factors such as the ageing population and an assessment of the impact of international business.

Mr. Hunt praised assistance in the budget for first-time house buyers but suggested various other means of assisting with conveyance subsidies that might be considered in future.

Mr. Hunt also asked what was happening regarding a previous Government pledge to utilise Bermuda's derelict housing stock.

On the topic of social rehabilitation he asked for consideration to be given to the introduction of "parental leave" rather than simply maternity leave. Mr. Hunt stressed the importance of fathers being able to spend time with their newborn children too.

Minister of Works and Engineering Derrick Burgess backed comments made by Prison Commissioner Eddie Lamb earlier in the week about poor parenting leading to a decline in the behavioural standards of the Island's children.

"Our children are a product of their environment and we as adults must get it right," he warned.

He also bemoaned an incident where he encountered a lady who complained that her home was in such a poor state that "if the termites stopped holding hands the floors would go through".

Mr. Burgess said when he suggested the woman go to Financial Assistance, she replied that she could not do so because this might stop her from taking her overseas trips.

Deputy Opposition Leader Cole Simons urged a re-examination of Bermuda's tourism strategy, saying that other jurisdictions are doing better during the tough times.

Opposition leader Kim Swan berated Government MPs for taking swipes at the Governor over a funding cut for policing, when this "has nothing to do with the Governor and everything to do with the Government".

PLP MP for Pembroke South East Ashfield DeVent pointed out that for the average working person in his constituency, the technicalities of the Budget render it almost a non-event.

He said the key questions the average person has are, "What has gone up and how will it hit my pockets? Has my cigarettes gone up? Has my alcohol gone up?"

Mr. DeVent also questioned whether the younger generation are being taught the important lesson of saving money for lean times, saying the tendency these days is to spend and not think about tomorrow.

He said Bermuda should expect to see an upshot in social problems as a result of the tough economic times, and perhaps even drug dealers fighting over the market.

He pointed to the 23 percent budget increase in the Ministry of Culture and Social Rehabilitation as necessary "because the most vulnerable are the people we're really going to have to look out for".

Mr. DeVent said that since he spends a lot of time in court through his job as a news reporter, he is also glad to see the introduction of better care for witnesses.