Premier Alex Scott hinted yesterday the law could be tightened up after the two-year investigation into Bermuda Housing Corporation failed to bring many criminal charges.

The Police probe found unethical behaviour but Bermuda?s 100-year-old laws were not strong enough to bring many prosecutions, although the quango?s former Housing Manager is before the courts.

In a statement issued last night Mr. Scott said: ?We will also be asking the Attorney General?s department to examine existing legislation to determine how it can be changed to reflect the times in which we live. We look forward to their recommendations.

?This investigation has demonstrated this Government is prepared to place questionable activities under the heaviest possible scrutiny and is prepared to live with the outcome.?

Earlier he said: ?From the moment the allegations were brought to our attention, this Government instructed the Auditor General to conduct a full inquiry into the activities of the BHC and was prepared to support the process and the findings.

?As the Commissioner and DPP emphasised, the entire process was carried out without any influence, political or otherwise.

?We commend the Commissioner, the DPP and the Auditor General and their staffs for their integrity and diligence in conducting this lengthy, extensive, exhaustive process and we are satisfied with the results.

?At the same time, Government has done our part to try to prevent similar situations from occurring.?

He said Government had taken steps to correct many of the flaws and inconsistencies that surfaced at the BHC and it was now operating with improved direction and procedures.

?We have just released a report on quangos which makes recommendations on other areas that can be combined or consolidated to produce greater efficiencies and controls. We will review the report to determine which recommendations we can implement.?

He called on the country to put the BHC scandal behind it and face other pressing issues.