tomorrow, it will be hard to find a more relieved politician than the Progressive Labour Party's (PLP) Delaey Robinson.

The Back Bencher's frustration with what he sees as stuffy, outdated dress codes nearly prompted him to make his House of Assembly debut swathed in the garb of an African prince, complete with sandals and stick accessories.

Mr. Robinson said that while Bermuda was made up of mainly African and European influences, it was the latter which dominated the Assembly's dress code, despite Bermuda's hotter climate.

However wiser counsel talked him out of making his gesture. "My friends were adamant I shouldn't try it.'' Still keen to make his point, Mr. Robinson hit on the tieless, buttoned-up Nehru suit, which he had specially made and has been his trademark ever since.

This outfit is one of the items which are set to get official sanction under PLP backed proposals put forward last week, which will also allow Bermuda shorts, trousers for women and safari suits.

But Mr. Robinson noted that his Nehru suit would be ditched the moment the rules were relaxed.

He said: "It's worse than a suit and tie!'' And he will be resisting the lure of Bermuda shorts -- after spending most of his civil service career in them they remind him too much of work.

"Bermuda shorts are a more European, rather than African thing. It's the summer uniform for the British troops.'' Delaey shows himself a man of Prince-ple! Instead he will be opting for a safari suit. He said: "It's so much more appropriate in a place like this.'' His PLP colleague Ottiwell Simmons was famous for his safari suits during his leadership of the Bermuda Industrial Union, but he doubted he would be reverting to them if the rule change got through.

He echoed the sentiment of most MPs polled by The Royal Gazette who said they were not too bothered by plans to modernise the dress code.

He said: "I am quite the traditionalist. I never had a much of a problem with it. I'm very flexible. I'm not very excited either way.'' Environment Minister Arthur Hodgson, who has been seen at public events sporting yellow Bermuda shorts, declined to be drawn on whether his legs would be on show in the House of Assembly.

He said: "To be completely frank I haven't thought about it. It's not the highest item on my agenda.'' PLP Back Bencher Reginald Burrows said: "Parliament is one day a week so I don't mind wearing a tie and a jacket.

"It's all air conditioned nowadays. It's not like years ago, that's when you really needed the shorts.

"I'm not a Bermuda shorts wearer really. I do wear shorts but not with the long socks. But I've got nothing against the long socks.'' However Opposition Transport spokesman Erwin Adderley was a little bolder.

Asked whether he would wear Bermuda shorts he said: "Probably.'' But he was more reserved on whether he would opt for the bright pink or yellow variety which have been mocked by some.

He said: "It don't think you can make a distinction on colour. We need to deal with people dressed tastefully and most Members of Parliament dress tastefully in the House.'' But he said he was against further relaxing of the dress code.

Asked about Nehru suits he said: "They are not traditionally Bermudian. It's a simple as that.

"We are going along with Bermuda shorts because we recognise as we move into the 21st century Bermuda shorts are an accepted form of Bermudian dress and if there was going to be any movement that's as far as we can go.'' Telecommunications Minister Renee Webb said moves to allow women MPs to wear trousers suits were redundant.

She said: "I have already worn them on four occasions. There's never really been a dress code, just tradition.

"People should be allowed to wear what they want. It's ridiculous.'' "When I was pictured on the front page of The Royal Gazette wearing them a year ago, Anita Smith, who was an MP in the 1970s, rang to say she always wore them and the Speaker never had a problem.'' The UBP's Allan Marshall said a move to Bermuda shorts would help him cope now that the Government was forcing the House to sit until well into summer.

"I certainly might wear them, particularly in the hot summer months. The heat is oppressive. I probably will wear them or I won't be able to think because it's so hot.

"I do like my Bermuda colours in the summer time. I have pink shorts, red ones, teal and even salmon.

"I might wear my with knee-length blue socks and maybe a tie with a bit of pink in it.''