corporal punishment.

Development, Opportunity and Government Services Minister Terry Lister began the debate of the Abolition of Capital and Corporal Punishment Act 1999 at about 7.30 p.m. last night. At Press time at 1 a.m. MPs were still debating the controversial subject.

Mr. Lister said the Progressive Labour Party had advocated the end of capital and corporal punishment years ago, and as Government they would look to see these "archaic acts'' abolished.

But Shadow Development, Opportunity and Government Services Minister Allan Marshall interjected: "Tell that to Rochelle West's family.'' He was referring to the murder of the Chamber of Commerce worker at her job in 1995.

Death penalty Mr. Lister mentioned that the issue of the banning of capital punishment had been raised in 1975, but the debate had occurred shortly after the murder of a Governor, a Police Commissioner and the Shopping Centre murders.

And he noted that it was "impossible'' that the bill would have been passed against that backdrop.

Legislative Affairs Shadow Minister John Barritt said the United Bermuda Party conducted a random telephone survey for one week, where 627 people were polled.

Mr. Barritt said of those polled 177 were in favour of abolishing capital punishment, whereas 421 wanted to retain it, and 29 did not know.

He asked: "What is the UK timetable? Why the need to rush into abolishing capital punishment? "The people haven't been consulted. Previously these things have always been subject to conscience vote. Why not examine the alternatives? But to simply abolish capital punishment and put in place 25 years (sentence)? "People will say that is what a life is worth. At the very least the judge ought to be allowed the option of sentencing life in prison without parole.

"They should allow provision for restitution by some form of labour. If we said we needed to look at alternatives, I am sure the UK government would give us latitude.'' United Bermuda Party member Trevor Moniz then moved a motion to delay the vote by six months.

He said: "This motion is premature. The reason we are looking at this bill is because it was in Partnerships for Progress about the relationships with the overseas territories.'' But he said Britain might not pass this legislation until 2001.

MPs divided upon party lines and the six-month motion was lost by 20 to 12 votes.