today about the banning of gaming machines.

The Prohibition of Gaming Machines Act will ban the use, sale, supply and importation of gaming machines by July 2004.

Government Whip Ottiwell Simmons said last night: "I imagine there will be mention of moral arguments, and the question of taxes for Government projects.'' When the bill was unveiled in March, United Bermuda Party MP Gary Pitman criticised it because it may not come into affect until July 2004.

The bill does give Government discretion to introduce a total ban before that date, however.

The only other item of business in the House of Assembly today is the Evidence Amendment Act, which will be led by Attorney General Dame Lois Browne Evans.

Mr. Simmons described the bill as housekeeping, and said he did not anticipate any controversy.