which will allow Government to sell a small strip of land located on the South Shore in Warwick.

Government Senate leader the Hon. Sen. Gerald Simons explained that the legislation concerned a piece of land that Government acquired in 1952.

The act prevented that land -- because it was not directly needed for access to the road -- to be sold.

Sen. Simons said the strip that was the subject of the legislation, was less than an acre long and was situated near the Mermaid Beach.

He said the purpose of the repeal of the 1951 Act was to allow landowners who lived nearby to purchase the land from Government.

Sen. Terry Lister (PLP) said that it was a "healthy'' sign that Government wanted to turn the land over to the landowners who lived nearby so that they could make better use of the land.

And he questioned if there were other similar strips of land in a similar condition that the Ministry of Works and Engineering or the Department of the Environment were working on that could be turned over to the private sector.

Sen. Lister also wanted to know how Government was going to determine a fair price for the land.

Independent Sen. Norma Astwood meantime, was concerned that with the rapidly expanding population growth in Warwick, the need for recreation and open space was at a premium.

"This land is situated in a part of Warwick that is densely populated,'' she said. "Its population growth has exceeded other parishes and is a consistent source of complaints of criminal behaviour.'' Sen. Astwood said that there was now diminishing access to open property because of the Bermuda's limited land mass.

Consequently, individuals had less space for recreation and this was also a source of worry.

"I hope Government gives considerable consideration when it disposes of (this) public property.

"South Shore is widely used ... by locals and tourists alike.'' Sen. Simons said Government shared the concerns of his colleagues regarding the need for open space and access for Bermudians.

He said that the Ministry of Works and Engineering and the Ministry of the Environment were studying the land Government currently holds with a view to raising funds to by more park land which could be of benefit to Bermudians.

Sen. Simons said the Department of Agriculture and Parks had purchased land along Warwick Long Bay and was now in the process if setting up recreational facilities.

The Government leader said that although the land was sold to landowners, the regulations for its use were still determined by the department of Planning.

The bill was then passed.