An Opposition Senator yesterday revealed the lack of progress in promises to update the court systems.

Opposition Sen. Mark Pettingill demanded to know why a new court reporting scheme had not taken a step forward, when the money was already in place.

But Senate Leader Milton Scott could not provide a date for the modernisation as Sen. Pettingill speculated that it may have to wait until a new court building is established.

Sen. Pettingill said: "We got promises that it was going to be done, the money was set aside in June and nothing has yet been done. The Throne Speech gives an indication that it is not going to happen until we get a new court building.'' He added that reports had stated that a meeting was to take place between Government and members of the Bermuda Bar Association, to discuss the moves, but no one knew anything about the summit.

The Senator also criticised talk of abolishing the death penalty without asking the people or even offering an alternative.

He said capital punishment was a personal issue which many people had differing views upon.

"You said you are going to scrap it but you have not come up with a proper alternative sentencing.'' On mention of asking the public about hanging, Sen. David Burch accused Sen.

Pettingill of being foolish, adding that the people spoke on November 9.