take an extra day off when a public holiday falls on a Saturday.

The 1993 Public Holidays Amendment bill also gives businesses permission to open on such days "in lieu'' without having to pay fees for special licences to operate.

Government Sen. the Hon. Pamela Gordon , who guided the bill through the Upper House, said it was expected to clear up any confusion about the observance of public holidays in the future.

Noting every Sunday was a public holiday under the 1947 Public Holiday Act, Sen. Gordon explained that if a public holiday fell on a Saturday, Government offices would be closed the following business day.

But, she said, that day would not be considered a public holiday.

Therefore, businesses which operate on a six-day week would not have to close.

And she said taxis would no longer be able to charge "high rates'' on days that are not public holidays.

The law will come into effect after December 28 and before January 1.

Sen. Trevor Woolridge (PLP) supported the amendment because it would be a "tremendous help'' for small businesses who normally needed permission to operate on days in lieu.

Sen. Norma Astwood (Ind) noted people were confused about the date on which the Queen's birthday was to be observed.

She urged Government to try to make all the necessary changes to a piece of legislation rather than constantly "coming back and amending amendments''.

Opposition Senate Leader Sen. Alex Scott said he believed it was time for Bermuda to stop celebrating certain holidays such as the Queen's birthday as a "ritual'' or "tradition'' and begin using such days to salute "local heroes''.

Under a PLP government, he said a national heroes day would stand a good chance of taking place on the Queen's Birthday.

"Victoria Park can become a point of recognition for one of our local heroes,'' Sen. Scott added.

"It would be good for our youth to see Bermuda celebrating holidays that have real meaning,'' he said. "For only then can we take control of our own destiny.'' Sen. Gordon said there was no intention to stop celebrating the Queen's birthday.

She noted the day was not a public holiday in England, but was marked by the trooping of the colours. "We happen to have made it a holiday so it will continue to be observed on the third Monday in June,'' she said.