plans to reform sentencing options for criminals while introducing a seat-belt law.

Also in the works are the long promised amalgamation of the lower courts and Hamilton Police Station into one building and a change in Police oversight laws.

Government is continuing to study plans to allow residents to be able to automatically pay for speeding fines of up to 62 kph -- greatly reducing the hassle of appearing before a magistrate.

In the coming year an Amendment of the Motor Car Act will be tabled to make seat-belts mandatory and mandatory safety standards for helmets for cycle riders.

Seat-belts will "reduce the number of serious injuries and deaths that occur as a result of motor vehicle accidents''.

The recent Serious Crimes Commission got special recognition yesterday, with another promise that it would not gather dust under the PLP.

"Bermuda can be assured that Government will pay serious attention to the recently concluded Commission of Inquiry into Serious Crimes' report and the recommendations contained therein,'' Governor Thorold Masefield said.

He added: "A response is currently being formulated.'' A Police and Criminal Evidence bill (PACE) will be introduced to improve how investigations are conducted and evidence is collected, bringing Bermuda into line with UK policy and practice.

An all-new Fraud bill and an amendment to the Evidence Act legalising a court reporting system are also being finalised.

To replace the temporary Assistant Justices who recently stepped down after 15 months on the job, a Supreme Court bill and a Court of Appeal bill will be tabled.

They will make formal posts to bolster the roster of just three Supreme Court judges sitting now.

Law and order given priority The party drug Ecstasy and other "drugs of concern'' will join the list of controlled drugs once legislation amending the Misuse of Drugs Act are introduced.

Addiction Services will be restructured into the Assessment and Referral Centre, becoming the primary provider for the upcoming Drug Court for addicts.

The ARC will provide assessment, referral, case management and out-patient substance abuse treatment for adults.

The Drug Court will be housed in the new combined Magistrates Court and Hamilton Police Station building, at the Corner of Victoria and court Streets.

Work will begin on that building "early in the next financial year'' and is sure to alleviate conditions that Police and court staff face.

Government promises more reforms based on the Alternatives to Incarceration initiative which will see changes to the Prison Rules Regulations.

Amendments to the Criminal Code, Prisons Act, and Debtors Act are in the pipeline to make the AIC more effective.

"The Alternatives to Incarceration Initiative represents a fundamental shift in how criminal justice offenders are dealt with,'' Mr. Masefield explained.

He added: "And priority will be given to the further development of this initiative throughout the year.'' Complaints against the Police will get more teeth with the Police Complaints Authority becoming fully independent.

Community Policing and crime management strategies are to be unveiled "in the near future'', the Throne Speech promises.

The review of the Bermuda Regiment is complete and Government is now "considering'' plans to reduce the size of the conscript component and reduce their length of service requirement.