The days of kids riding adult coattails into R-rated movies are numbered, warns the Chairwoman of the Broadcasting Commission.

"We've been flooded with letters over this,'' Louise Jackson told The Royal Gazette . And she hopes legislative amendments prohibiting minors from accompanying adults or their parents into R-rated movies will be in place by the end of the current House session.

"I've talked to the Minister (John Barritt) about this and legislation is expected to be brought before the House, and I would hope the PLP will be supportive,'' she said.

Meanwhile theatre operators are to be brought up to date on the changes following the first meeting on Thursday of the 1997 Broadcasting Commission.

At present movie ratings here generally mirror North American standards, from G-rated (family) up to R-rated (adult). No X-rated movies are shown publicly on the Island.

Unlike North America, however, a minor can view an R-rated movie if in the company of an adult escort.

Amending existing legislation is one of the tasks confronting this year's edition of the Broadcasting Commission, which has lost Vince Ingham to the Bermuda Land Development Company but has been joined by Sheridan Scotton and Vincent Soares.

The commission also regulates the Island's "free'' television and radio airwaves, monitoring programming from local stations VSB and ZBM, but has no control over cable or satellite transmissions.

"I have nothing but praise for both stations,'' said Mrs. Jackson, who noted local content has been on the increase.

And she dismissed local regulation of sex and violence carried on American network feeds as "unworkable''. American networks already carry adequate disclaimers and there is no need for Bermudian stations to do the same.

"All we can hope is that people will pay attention to them,'' she said.