the introduction of the Bermuda Residential Building Code.

Environment Minister Harry Soares told the House of Assembly that the Bermuda Residential Building Code would consolidate all the building, plumbing, electrical, fire protection and other building issues into one simplified document.

The new document will reportedly make buildings more user-friendly for the general public.

The Act also amends the Building Act 1988 to allow the Minister to issue new, and amend existing, building codes. Currently codes are included in building regulations which are subject to a resolution procedure in the House.

Mr. Soares said the AG's Chamber recommended that building codes should not be included in regulations, but dealt with in a more direct and responsive way.

The public will be notified of new, or amended, building codes via a notice in the Official Gazette and a second newspaper at least three months in advance of a code coming into effect.

Mr. Soares said any construction that was underway would be allowed to continue under the terms of the old building code.

MODERNISATION PLANS GET GREEN LIGHT HOA Modernisation plans get green light MPs gave the East End's Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) facility the green light to go ahead with modernisation plans.

Environment Minister Harry Soares told the House of Assembly on Friday that the Ferry Reach, St. George's, facility's 14 aging above ground tanks need to be brought up to date.

The Shell company will replace the old containers with three, state-of-the-art 170,400 gallon tanks equipped with the latest safety and environmental protection devices, he said.

Mr. Soares added that the new tanks, which will partially be installed below ground, will be installed away from the public road and houses.

In order for the new plans to go head, the House had to amend the Liquefied Petroleum Gases (Handling, Storage, Supply and Transport) Regulations 1988 to allow for the increased tank size and the new high-tech equipment.

MPS SET TO DISCUSS NEW REGULATIONS HOA MPs set to discuss new regulations People who make false applications for a telecommunications licence could soon face up to six months in jail.

MPs are set to discuss the public Telecommunications Service (Licence) Regulations Bill in the House of Assembly.

The regulations apply to any application for the grant of a licence to establish, maintain or operate a public telecommunication service on the Island. Licences will last for 15 years, unless the firm providing the service is leasing the equipment.

PLP REQUEST LIST OF PETITIONS BUC PLP requests list of petitions Government has dealt with a total of 21 petitions on various issues since the start of the current Parliament in 1993, Premier Pamela Gordon told MPs on Friday.

She was speaking after the PLP's Walter Roberts asked for a complete list of petitions delivered to Government.

And she denied claims by PLP backbencher Ottiwell Simmons that the number was "excessive and a reflection of an uncaring Government.'' Ms Gordon said: "Quite honestly, I could just say no and sit down -- but this Government is a fully participative Government.

"And it's people's democratic right to organise petitions.'' Petitions on the list include complaints about teachers and schools, a list of opponents to McDonald's burgers opening its doors for business in Bermuda and a plea for the legalisation of marijuana.

Other petitions included one protesting at the recruitment of then-Police Commissioner Colin Coxall and ex-Deputy Commissioner Michael Mylod in 1995.