With the Chirac Government taking credit for the hostage release, President Mitterrand and his closest lieutenants sought to take part in the nation's elation rather than cavil.

The Chirac Government allowed Mr. Gordji to leave France on Nov. 29 and two French hostages were simultaneously released in Lebanon.

Funding was also increased for a holdover program from the previous Chirac Government (the allocation de formation-reclassement) that encouraged recipients of unemployment insurance to receive training.

Members of the Socialist Party group called for the transition features of the Mehaignerie Law (introduced under the previous Chirac Government) to be made permanent.

Mr. Juppe added that the Chirac Government had "never between 1986 and 1988" dismissed "a director of a nationalized company during that director's mandate."

The French decision to develop chemical weapons is part of the new five-year rearmament program the Chirac Government announced after taking office last year.

The Chirac Government has pushed through most of its bills under a provision for legislation by decree, really meant for emergencies or unusual circumstances.

But the Socialists have criticized the "noyaux durs," or "hard core," groups of investors chosen by the Chirac Government.

The Chirac Government in September 1987 had named the pianist and conductor Daniel Barenboim as music and artistic director of the Bastille Opera.

In London, a British official said he thought the press had "gotten ahead of the game" and had become "more royalist than the king" in criticizing the Chirac Government.