Bermudian status as a result of two new Acts of Parliament.

Chief Immigration Officer Mr. Neville Smith reports his department's phoneline has been hot with inquiries about status since the bills were passed in early July.

Although there has only been one application there have been some 30 phone calls inquiring about status.

And Mr. Smith expects the floodgates to open when the new rules are gazetted.

In early July the Bermuda Immigration and Protection Act 1993 and the Bermudian Status Birth or Grant Register Amendment 1993 were passed.

Both acts made it easier to understand how a person can obtain status. They also removed the "sexist'' rule that only men could claim status for their children.

Mr. Smith said: "We have received only one formal application but we have had at least 30 telephone inquiries. It is a little early at the moment. We should know more in a couple of weeks. We have been expecting a lot of applications since the legislation was passed.''