Police will be able to X-ray suspects they believe have swallowed illegal drugs under legislation due to be debated in the House of Assembly today.

The Police and Criminal Evidence (PACE) Amendment Act means high-ranking officers can authorise X-rays or ultrasound scans on someone in custody when they have reasonable grounds to believe the suspect was in possession of drugs before being arrested.

Minister without Portfolio Zane DeSilva will present the bill, which is expected to get backing from the official Opposition, the United Bermuda Party. Attorney General Kim Wilson says the main goal of the amendment is to allow Police to release previously arrested suspects without having to take them into the station to be processed when there are no grounds for keeping them under arrest.

Mr. DeSilva will also read the brief on the Liquor Licence Amendment Act, which will give officers powers to shut down bars for up to 24 hours if they believe trouble may break out.

This bill will mean officers no longer have to get consent from a Justice of the Peace under such circumstances. Deputy Opposition Leader Trevor Moniz, who will lead the UBP's response on both issues, described them as housekeeping bills.

"We are looking for much more focus by Government on the problems of crime, particularly violent crime," Mr. Moniz told The Royal Gazette, who noted many hours had been wasted last week debating gaming.

He said security in bars needs to be stepped up, particularly in the light of last week's "disastrous situation" at The Beach on Front Street.

Sen. Wilson pledged to table several other pieces of legislation later this month to further enhance Police investigative powers and provide further detention periods for suspected firearm offenders. Legislation creating public access to information and a press council are now on the House of Assembly's agenda list, but protocol suggests they won't be dealt with until next week at the earliest, as they were only tabled last week. Mr. Moniz described the Media Council Act as a "terrible piece of legislation", adding: "It's not, in my view, very well drafted."

He questioned the absence of a right of appeal and said there also appeared to be issues related to free speech; meanwhile the act covers The Royal Gazette's website, yet not the Bermuda Sun's website; while of the many publications on the Island, the only ones named in the act are the Bermuda Sun, The Royal Gazette, Bottom Line, RG Magazine and The Workers' Voice.

Sources say there is some concern in Progressive Labour Party circles, although former Culture Minister Dale Butler said yesterday: "The media council is long overdue and I support its establishment 100 percent."