Members of Parliament could be allowed to buck a centuries-old trend -- by wearing Bermuda shorts in the House of Assembly.

The break with tradition was signalled yesterday when Telecommunications Minister Renee Webb wore black slacks during the Parliament session.

Women had never previously been allowed to wear trousers while the House was sitting.

But Ms Webb last night revealed new Speaker of the House Stanley Lowe would allow the fashion change in Parliament.

And she claimed men would also be allowed to wear Bermuda shorts in the House for the first time ever.

Mr. Lowe could not be contacted last night to confirm the historic change.

And there was confusion as other MPs said they had not heard of the rule change.

Opposition MP John Barritt said: "I would be very surprised. I'm on the Rules and Privileges Committee and I would have thought we would have had to make the decision.

"We haven't even met yet.'' But Ms Webb, speaking at the Progressive Labour Party's Christmas party, told The Royal Gazette : "Women will be allowed to wear pants in the House of Assembly from now on.

"It was something that was discussed in the last session but the former Speaker wouldn't allow it.

"I told the new Speaker I was going to wear pants and he was fine about it.

The guys are also going to wear Bermuda shorts now, if they want to.

"Bermuda shorts are acceptable at the corporate level. We are leaders so why shouldn't we be allowed to wear them during our official business? "Who is going to dictate to us? This is a new Bermuda. I'm a grown woman and I don't expect to be told how to dress.'' But veteran UBP MP C.V. (Jim) Woolridge, a frequent wearer of Bermuda shorts, said: "It's the first I've heard of it.

"But in any event, I just don't think it's right and proper. There are certain standards and qualities which should be maintained.

Confusion over dress code "The decorum in the House was laid down by the former Speaker and I think he had it right.

"He thought that if we relaxed the rules we would have MPs coming in in their shirt sleeves and maybe even with their shirts outside their pants.

"To me, it's a singular honour to be one of the 40 MPs to represent the 60,000 people of Bermuda and we ought to respect the traditions that go along with that.'' Moves to relax the dress code in Parliament had been led by Ann Cartwright DeCouto, when Ernest DeCouto was Speaker.

But she was voted out of her seat in Pembroke West Central at the November 9 poll.

And she said last night: "At the moment, I couldn't care less what they do up in the House of Assembly.

"...It's a singular honour to be one of the 40 MPs to represent the 60,000 people of Bermuda and we ought to respect the traditions that go along with that.' -- C.V. Jim Woolridge "It no longer concerns me. But it's really up to the Rules and Privileges Committee. It would be a refreshing breeze, I suppose.'' YOU'VE COME A LONG WAY -- Government Minister Reneee Webb in the trousers that