Senators today are expected to pass the controversial Bermudiana bill.

Government Senators have been instructed by party chiefs to support the private legislation.

And Opposition Senate Leader Milton Scott last night signalled he would be backing the Bermudiana Site Rehabilitation Act 1996.

"I think it is in the best interests of the country,'' he declared.

Meanwhile in the House of Assembly, Shadow Finance Minister Eugene Cox will today give the Opposition's Budget Reply.

It will give the Progressive Labour Party a chance to set out its economic stall before the next election.

And it will almost certainly trigger a marathon debate on the economy.

Said Opposition Whip Walter Lister: "It will provide an ideal opportunity for us to make our points as the Government-in-waiting.'' Mr. Lister said Mr. Cox's presentation would be one of the best Budget Replies he had ever made.

"I think we have to show people in the next few months that not only are we capable of running the Government but we are also prepared to run the Government.

"Finance is a very important area and we have the ability to run the Government and run it effectively.'' Mr. Lister said Mr. Cox would highlight "glaring errors'' in Finance Minister Grant Gibbons' Budget.

Earlier this month MPs provoked uproar when the Bermudiana bill received a 42-second hearing.

Some MPs, upset by the swift passage of the bill, were absent when it was passed.

The private bill allows insurance giants ACE Ltd. and EXEL Ltd. to skirt round the 60/40 ownership rule and take over the site off Pitts Bay Road, where the old Bermudiana Hotel has become derelict.

The two companies had agreed to buy the land from Argus Insurance and develop it for offices if the bill passed and planning permission was approved.

Bermuda Financial Centre's dream of developing the Bermudiana site for a hotel, offices and apartments was virtually killed off by the passage of the bill.

BFCL director and former Government Minister Michael Winfield later urged the Senate to show more responsibility.

"I am now hoping that the Senate as the senior legislative body will give this bill the examination it is due and think very seriously about the consequences for Bermuda.

Senators poised to pass bill "It is my hope that the party whips will not apply to the Senate but that independent thought and conscience will be allowed to prevail.'' Yesterday, however, it emerged Government Senators would be under the United Bermuda Party whip.

Government Senator Larry Scott, who will today introduce the bill for its second and third readings, told The Royal Gazette last night: "We have been instructed to support it.'' He added: "I'm going to give some explanation and encourage debate on the bill. I had better give the other Senators that courtesy.

"I suspect the bill will pass since the Government Senate is under the whip.

"I can't see the Opposition not supporting it since they supported it in the Private Bills Committee.'' Government Senate Leader Lynda Milligan-Whyte has already made it clear she anticipated discussion.

But Independent Senator Alf Oughton declined to say whether he would speak on the bill.

"I always leave what I say to the Senate. I don't usually reveal what I'm going to do beforehand.'' Senate President Albert Jackson said last night he would not be voting on the bill, because of a conflict of interest.

"I sit on the board of EXEL Foundation, which is a special programme of funding which EXEL provides to assist charitable causes in Bermuda.'' Sen. Jackson, however, did not rule out speaking on the legislation.

Another Senator also expected to declare an interest is Sen. Milligan-Whyte.

Sen. Larry Scott told The Royal Gazette that Sen. Milligan-Whyte's law firm acted for EXEL, the promoters for the bill.

"Her firm has been retained,'' he said.

Also on the agenda for Senators today are the second reading of the Stalking Bill and amendments to the Pensions Act.

"The sitting could go to a full day, into the afternoon,'' said Sen. Jackson.

MPs are braced for an even longer day with the economic debate, which is expected to run into the late evening.

Said Mr. Lister: "I assume it will be a full debate and we are prepared to give it our full shot.

"After Mr. Cox has given the PLP's Budget Reply, the other Ministers and Shadow Ministers will speak on it.

"Most of our members are prepared to articulate on the departments they are responsible for.'' Mr. Lister said he did not want to steal Mr. Cox's thunder, but he predicted: "It's going to be an extremely interesting reply.'' He pointed out, however, the Opposition was at a disadvantage when responding.

"Government has a battery of civil servants and 12 months to prepare the Budget.

"We have seven days and our own blood, sweat and tears to respond to it. Most politicians are part-time and have other jobs and it's not easy to pull together a response.'' He added: "I've always found Budget Replies invigorating and surprising and I don't think the Reply is going to be any less so this year.''