night.

The first, the Government Loans Amendment Act 1998, strengthens and enhances the Government Borrowing Sinking Fund by making it a separate entity with its own accounting and legislative needs, said Finance Minister Grant Gibbons .

Shadow Finance Minister Eugene Cox threw his support behind the Act stating: "It makes good sense.'' The Revenue Amendment and Validation Act 1998, validates a long standing practice by Customs, said Dr. Gibbons.

The Collector of Customs will now have the power to negotiate a solution or render a decision if an individual fails to make a declaration on their Customs form or makes an error.

Customs officials can order the offender to pay a penalty of up to three times the price of the goods or the matter can be settled in court.

Dr. Gibbons said the Act protected travellers by giving them the right to appeal Customs' decision.