their children as men.

For the House of Assembly agreed to change the law to "remove the last vestiges of sex discrimination'' in Bermuda's Immigration and Protection Act.

And Home Affairs Minister Quinton Edness told the House he believed that Bermuda was the first Dependent Territory to axe a hangover from colonial days.

But Opposition MPs -- while agreeing with the principle of the change -- said it was dangerous to change the law without knowing how many people would be eligible to become Bermudian.

Introducing the amendment, Mr. Edness said the law needed to be changed.

He explained: "If a Bermudian woman went overseas and married a non-British person, she was not able to pass on to her children the right to have Bermudian status when a man could do so.

"This should end all forms of discrimination in our status laws as it effects in particular females, but also women as well.'' The law was amended in 1993, but only as far back as 1956. The new amendment goes back to a 1937 Act.

But Shadow Labour and Home Affairs Minister Alex Scott asked for precise numbers on how many people would now be eligible for full Bermudian rights.

He said: "Out of this good can come a series of consequences -- we would like to have Government's explanation of the impact it will have on the economy of the Country and its future.'' And he called for a "Christmas package'' for Bermudians in exchange -- a three-year limit on work permits with an undertaking for permit holders to train a Bermudian to take over the job.

Mr. Scott said that many Bermudians were unemployed or struggling financially already.

He added that the economy was still expanding -- but in favour of the non-Bermudian.

But he said: "We now are retroactively setting the stage for a great number of individuals to come into the economy.'' "This is our responsibility to Bermudians -- to be aware of the impact of the legislation we are making here today.

"Any Minister who takes the stand should be able to give us an accounting.'' And Shadow Works and Engineering Minister Stanley Morton said he suspected it was a plan to bring about a fresh pool of UBP voters.

But Education and Human Affairs Minister Jerome Dill insisted the bill was a matter of principle.

He said: "They are talking numbers, saying we are not prepared. We say unequivocally that this UBP Government is committed to this bill, no matter what the number, very simple and straightforward.'' And Mr. Edness pointed out that the majority of people affected probably lived outside Bermuda -- and it was impossible for Government to get an accurate count.

He added the last time status laws were loosened did not lead to a flood of applicants.

And he said his Ministry had been approached by about 12 people in connection with the quirk in the law.

Mr. Edness dismissed the idea of limiting work permits as a bid to pick up votes.

He added: "In the long-term, it would adversely affect the lives of many, many Bermudians.''