The House of Assembly gets back to business today with a new bid to keep close tabs on sex offenders and violent criminals who have completed their jail sentences.

Opposition leader Pamela Gordon may be in hot water after a clash with Speaker Stanley Lowe at the end of the last session.

Ms Gordon was asked to apologise by the Speaker after an exchange with Health and Social Services Minister Nelson Bascome on the floor of the House.

The row came after Ms Gordon slammed Premier Jennifer Smith's leadership style and said she acted more like a "social princess'' than the leader of a country.

Mr. Bascome hit back and said Ms Gordon's speech sounded like "jealousy'' and said she was the "dethroned princess.'' Ms Gordon demanded an apology from Mr. Bascome -- but Mr. Lowe ruled he had not crossed the line.

But when Ms Gordon questioned "the degree of justice'' in the House, Mr. Lowe asked for an apology from her.

Ms Gordon -- who later insisted she had nothing to apologise for -- remained silent in her seat before rising and walking out of the chamber.

Mr. Lowe declined afterwards to say if he would insist on an apology -- or what he would do if none was forthcoming.

Meanwhile, a new sex and violent offenders bill will allow potential public enemies to be supervised for up to ten years after leaving prison.

Any offender who fails to comply with supervision rules could end up back behind bars for up to ten years.

Offenders who fall under the legislation will have to notify Police of their address on leaving prison and update them on any changes of home.

The bill adds that "a protocol relating to the release of information concerning sex offenders to the public or an affected group of the public or an individual'' will be established.

Courts will also be able to remand sex offenders and those convicted of violent crime for up to 60 days before sentencing to assess the likelihood of reoffending.

Home Affairs and Public Safety Minister Ms Cox said: "I think the bill strikes a reasonable balance and still vests considerable authority in the courts in judging what the right balance is.'' Ms Cox said the bill would mean an end to worries over handling sex offenders and violent criminals after they were released.

She added: "We are giving the facility up front to add that layer of supervision.'' The bill was originally tabled earlier this year but Ms Cox said then she would hold off bringing the bill for debate until interested parties, like women's groups and the Bar Association, had a chance to look it over.

The legislation was welcomed by Shadow Health and Social Services Minister Kim Young who helped run a campaign for tougher laws for sex offenders, especially child sex offenders.

She called for child abusers and sex offenders to be hit with "no-go'' areas for living after prison to keep them away from schools, nurseries and other places used by youngsters, like libraries.

She said she also wanted to see mandatory treatment during prison sentences and psychiatric evaluations done on a regular basis.

Also up for debate tomorrow is a bill to alter the rules for calculating contributory pensions.

The original Act set the year for calculating pensions at 364 days although pensions have traditionally been calculated on the actual number of days in the year, 365, and the new bill brings the law into line with custom and practice.

Environment Minister Arthur Hodgson will table amendments tightening the rules on the control of dogs.