books on Friday.

The legislation, which banned people from Bermuda if they wanted to secure a visa for the US, was axed by the House of Assembly.

Labour and Home Affairs Minister Quinton Edness told the House the Immigration (Special Restrictions) Order had been overtaken by jet travel.

He said: "It is assumed that at the time the order was made there was a fear that a person who arrived in Bermuda for the purpose of obtaining a United States visa could be denied that visa and might not have the means to pay the cost of transportation to another destination.'' But he said that most people who travelled these days did so with credit cards.

Also, visitors had to demonstrate they had sufficient funds before they cleared Customs, as well as show an onward ticket.

However, PLP Labour and Home Affairs spokesman Alex Scott said that removing the legislation would open Bermuda "to those who would abuse what would become a privilege.'' But Mr. Edness said: "I do not believe that the cancellation of the 1937 order will result in any undue risk to Bermuda.

"The reality is that for many years people have entered Bermuda, ostensibly as visitors, when their real purpose is to obtain or renew a United States visa.

"Only the most scrupulous or ill-informed volunteer their real reason and are barred from landing.'' Mr. Edness said that a British woman and her children arrived in Bermuda in the spring, intending to holiday in Bermuda while her husband, who had taken a job in New York, made the legal arrangements for them to join him.

But the stunned woman was told she could not legally land under the 1937 provision.

Mr. Edness said: "This was a potentially embarrassing incident and one which could have resulted in a loss of business.''