ERROR RG P4 13.11.1999 The October 30 edition of The Royal Gazette erroneously reported in the front page article "Hanging to be abolished'' that Governor Thorold Masefield said the Criminal Code would be amended to affirm Britain's commitment to international human right standards. It should have read that the amendments would affirm Bermuda's commitment to these standards as reported on page five of the same paper.

The death knell for hanging and flogging in Bermuda was yesterday sounded in the Progressive Labour Party's second Throne Speech.

And the PLP have pledged "more than 50'' new two- and three-bedroom homes by next July.

Governor Thorold Masefield -- reading Government's blueprint for the coming year -- said: "Affirming Britain's commitment to international human rights standards, the Criminal Code will be amended to abolish capital and judicial corporal punishment.'' The move came after the UK signalled in a White Paper on relations with the Overseas Territories that hanging and flogging would have to go.

Capital punishment was abolished in the Caribbean Overseas Territories by UK Orders in Council -- which cannot be used in Bermuda because of its more advanced level of self-government.

Bermuda is the only overseas territory with both still on the books, although neither has been used for decades. One other territory retains flogging as a court punishment.

Mr. Masefield said Government remained committed to increasing the stock of affordable housing on the Island.

He added that the Bermuda Housing Corporation had given the go-ahead for the new house-building programme.

Mr. Masefield said: "In addition, the Bermuda Housing Corporation will make greater use of the powers under the Bermuda Housing Act 1980 to accelerate its renovation programme that targets vacant and derelict housing units.

"These initiatives combined with the release of dwelling units at Southside will greatly improve housing conditions for many Bermudian families.'' Plans to boost tourism are also in the pipeline, the Governor said.

He added: "Plans are at an advanced stage for over $300 million in new hotel investment, encouraged by incentives provided by Government.'' These include a modernised Castle Harbour Hotel and a new eco-tourism development at Daniel's Head.

In education, Primary 2 and 3 classes would follow Primary 1 over the next two years with mandated class sizes, while construction to turn Berkeley Institute into the second senior school will begin in the new year.

In law and order, hiring extra judges is to be considered and judicial salaries reviewed, while a new court building with hi-tech transcription services is planned.

And -- in a bid to prevent court queues -- legislation to allow automatic payment of speeding fines up to 62 kph will be introduced.

Roads will become safer as improvements to Hamilton Parish's Blue Hole Hill and Wilkinson Avenue are lined up, including a safer junction and improved sidewalks.

The Governor added: "Meanwhile, it is expected that plans to introduce speed detection cameras will have a calming effect on the road-using public.'' Police will also begin taping of interviews with suspects and the conduct of ID parades will be examined in a bid to ensure fairness.

Video appearances in courts for prisoners on remand will also be legislated to cut down on the use of manpower to transport prisoners from jails to courts.

In schools, Police will review safety and security for users and property in schools, while the Fire Service will assess fire detection and prevention.

For offenders, new rules will make treatment a sentencing option for drug offenders and more effort will be made to keep convicted drug-users out of prison.

The Governor added that further steps to eliminate drugs in prisons will be taken, with hi-tech electronic "sniffers'' being introduced alongside Police and drugs dogs.

And the Halfway House for offenders on their way to freedom will be built at the old HMS Malabar at Dockyard.

Another Green Paper on long term residents -- following one prepared by the former United Bermuda Party Government before it fell from power -- will also be brought forward this Parliamentary session.

And Governor Masefield said: "In the Department of Immigration, priority will be given to the consistency and timeliness of processing work permits.'' Throne Speech He added: "Policies on work permits will be revised both to safeguard employment opportunities for Bermudians and to ensure transparency in the process. The Department will also create a strategic section that will link immigration policy to workplace needs and training requirements.

"Policy and procedure manuals on all changes will be made available to the public.'' Employment legislation is due for a revamp with a new legislation to guarantee fairness in the workplace and increases in compensation for industrial injuries.

The Bermuda Regiment is also in line for changes, with a massive review to be carried out by a British Army Brigadier General due to start in the next few weeks.

Other Government business for the year includes: Amendments to Immigration law to protect children of Bermudian fathers born to single mothers; Teeth for consumer protection, with a new bill giving the Consumer Protection Board statutory powers; and Changes to criminal injuries compensation laws to take account of the applicant's conduct and to extend compensation to the victims of dog attacks.