translate into more staff and office space for the Island's principal consumer protection agency.

The announcement came yesterday from Development, Opportunity and Government Services Minister Terry Lister.

The changes tie in with new consumer protection legislation which is set to come into effect this summer and empower the bureau which is currently run by one officer, Karen Marshall, who has handled some 7,583 consumer complaints since being appointed two years ago.

Government is now planning to hire an inspector, personal assistant and receptionist/secretary for the department.

And because of the confidential nature of the department's work, it may require more office space than what it currently shares with the Department of Community Affairs, said Mr. Lister.

These changes are reflected in Government's current Budget which shows the expected expenditure for the bureau jumping from $74,000 to $297,000.

The main functions of the bureau are to receive and investigate complaints, disseminate information, mediation and consumer advice.

It also initiates independent investigations into deceptive, unfair or unlawful trade practices against consumers and provides individual counselling seminars and money management advice.

The new legislation which will guide the bureau is the result of recommendations from a task force review into how to improve consumer protection in Bermuda.

The task force studied overseas consumer protection agencies and then made recommendations.