Government today will begin a race against the clock to wrap up the Throne Speech debate in two House of Assembly sittings.

If it succeeds, MPs will have three sittings before the Christmas break to discuss key legislation.

There are also plans to table the long-awaited franchise report before the recess.

Today Opposition PLP Leader Jennifer Smith will reply to the Throne Speech, delivered last week by Governor Lord Waddington during the reconvening of Parliament.

Premier David Saul will respond and MPs will then make their own speeches.

Finance Minister Grant Gibbons is also expected to make a statement on a review of land tax.

Government Whip Rick Spurling said he anticipated the House adjourning between 7 and 8 p.m.

"Of course there is always the motion to adjourn when anyone can speak. That can go on, depending on the subject matter.'' Mr. Spurling said Government hoped to close out the Throne Speech debate next week.

"The debate may very well go into night, but we want to finish it. We don't want a third day if we can avoid it.

"We have a fair amount of legislation waiting to be discussed and we would like to get into it. There is certainly enough legislation to command quite a substantial debate.'' Among items to be discussed are a domestic violence and stalking bill and legislation to confiscate proceeds of crime.

Mr. Spurling was unsure whether any legislation would be tabled today.

"There will be no second readings of bills because normally legislation sits for two sittings.'' Mr. Spurling pointed out the House would break up for Christmas on December 13.

"There are five sessions left -- two have been set aside for the Throne Speech and three for legislation.

"We will be tabling additional bills and I hope we will get the bulk of it through before Christmas.'' Mr. Spurling said there were plans to table Government's report of a franchise review by December 13.

He hoped the report would be discussed before a debate on Government backbencher Ann Cartwright DeCouto's Prohibited Restaurant Bill, which would restrict the operation in Bermuda of restaurants associated with overseas ones.

"I think this would be the proper thing to happen. It would be sensible to do it this way since the report could lead to things relevant to the Prohibited Restaurant Bill.'' It is understood Dr. Saul has urged Mrs. Cartwright DeCouto to hold off debate of her bill until the report had been discussed.

Mrs. Cartwright DeCouto was yesterday off the Island and could not be reached for comment.

Government backbencher Trevor Moniz -- a member of the so-called "People's Five'' rebels -- said he did not know of Mrs. Cartwright DeCouto's intentions.

"I haven't seen the franchise report yet,'' he said.

(See Paula Cox on Page 5)