boost Bermuda's tourism, were told on Wednesday.

The Liquor Licencing Amendment Act 1998 will permit dining and drinking outdoors -- as well as ban the sale of miniatures in licenced grocery stores.

Sen. Terry Lister (PLP) said: "It aims to enhance the responsible sale of alcohol and improve our tourist product.'' Sen. Lister said that Bermuda had seen increasing levels of alcoholism over the years -- while alcohol consumption in much of the rest of the world had dropped. He added that a failure to get tough on the sale of cold beers in stores was "a mistake''.

Community Affairs Minister Sen. Yvette Swan said one of the main thrusts of the bill was to protect children.

She said a number of young pupils at a particular school -- later identified as Spice Valley Middle School -- had been suspended for drinking on school premises.

Offenders who knowingly sold alcohol to children should have the book thrown at them -- and lose their alcohol licence.

Sen. Neletha Butterfield warned that older people buy alcohol for under-age drinkers, while many youngsters could look older than they are.

Sen. Alf Oughton (Ind) said that he had been told by nightclub owners that allowing hotels and restaurants to open until 3 a.m. would kill off their trade.

And Government Senate leader Sen. E.T. (Bob) Richards said that "Bermuda is in the hospitality business'' and must cater to that trade.

And Opposition Senate leader Sen. Milton Scott warned that "alcopops'' -- alcoholic drinks which are presented like soft drinks -- made it difficult for even adults to tell the difference.

Sen. Lister put forward a motion that "cold beer'' be added to the Act, following the words "miniatures''.

But the amendment was defeated by a six to five vote.

Senators then debated checks on under-age drinkers entering bars and differences in penalties.

Sen. Milton Scott said the Island needed strict procedures and a standard identification card.

"Either you are going to be serious about underage drinking or you're not,'' Sen. Scott added. "You need to tighten the law up. We need to send a strong message to the merchants.

"We need a standard policy regarding underage drinking. It is not too late to put the appropriate amendments in this bill.'' Sen. Richards tried to address Sen. Scott's concerns by providing an illustration of how the law would work.

He said that if a proprietor of an establishment asks for identification and thinks that it is legitimate, the owner would allow the patron access to the club.

Later if it was discovered that the identification was false and the person was underage, the owner would be provided some "relief'' because he did his duty and checked for identification.

Sen. Richards said it would have been "impractical'' if the Act said having young people on the premise of a private members club was illegal.

"Like it or not, members' clubs have a multifaceted role in Bermuda,'' Sen.

Richards explained. "They are the sites of sports events and recreation. And they also serve liquor to members.'' Sen. Lister urged the Government to withdraw the bill.

Senators also agreed to amend the bill to allow members' clubs to be open at all hours instead of from 10 a.m. to 3 a.m. The House of Assembly will now have to consider the amendment.

Sen. Lister disagreed with the new opening hours legislation and called for an amendment for the act to revert to its original state. He said allowing the owner to determine the hours could affect the quality of service.

His amendment was defeated by one vote.