after the Easter break.

Even then, the Hon. John Stubbs' motion might face an attempt to give it "the six-month hoist.'' Sources in both the United Bermuda Party and Progressive Labour Party camps said they had heard that a motion could be presented during second reading of Dr. Stubbs' bill that it instead "be considered six month's hence''.

In the PLP, it was an option discussed at the same time the idea of a secret ballot vote on the bill was talked about, a source told The Royal Gazette .

Dr. Stubbs himself raised the possibility of a secret ballot, noting that some MPs were feeling pressured by church groups and others. He later abandoned the idea due to lack of support.

Many MPs on both sides of the issue want to deal with the bill openly and promptly.

While a motion to decide the issue by secret ballot is given no chance of success, a random survey suggested support for delaying debate for six months is not strong, either.

Although it is known as "the six-month hoist,'' such a motion, when successful, can often kill a bill.

Dr. Stubbs said yesterday he felt MPs would make such a motion "at their peril.

"The level of support is steadily rising,'' he said. "Sober reflection in respect of the human rights aspect of it is weighing against the hysterical elements in the religious community.'' Originally, Dr. Stubbs hoped that his bill to remove homosexual sex from the Criminal Code would be debated on March 11.

But it is now expected that the House will rise for Easter when the Budget debate is concluded on March 7 and not return until May 6.

While it was "somewhat disconcerting'' to delay the debate that long, "I'm happy to wait until the 6th of May or the 13th of May,'' Dr. Stubbs said.

In the House today, Dr. Stubbs plans to circulate excerpts from the 1957 Wolfenden Report, which in England recommended that homosexual sex "between consenting adults in private'' be made legal, as it later was.

Based on information from colleagues, Dr. Stubbs felt his Criminal Code Amendment Act 1994 would pass both the House of Assembly and the Senate.

Until then, "I just hope everybody goes and sees Philadelphia'', he said, referring to a courtroom drama about a lawyer with AIDS that is now playing in Bermuda.

The Hon. John Stubbs.