They approved a motion to comply with the Members' interests registration form which will give details of financial affairs including share dealing, property interests and foreign travel.

A similar form has just been approved for MPs. Sen. Walwyn Hughes (Ind) said: "It's standard in most Parliaments. I am suggesting we ought to be doing the same thing here.

"It's a personal decision whether you fill it in; there is no censure other than your own conscience.'' Sen. David Burch (PLP) said the register would reveal that most parliamentarians lived rather modestly.

He said: "I receive a countless number of appeals to pay for this and pay for that. I have to strike a balance in what I support.

"People think it will bring some great revelations but the revelation is that 90 percent of us are not living large or having these assets.'' Government Senate Leader Sen. Milton Scott said he had serious reservations about the move.

He said: "It is purely voluntary but the committee might ask why you didn't fill the form in.'' Senate President Alf Oughton said the form had been watered down and was a "pussy cat'' compared to what it had been.