MPs will have to wait until next week to find out if Speaker Stanley Lowe will carry out a threat to bar MPs from questioning Ministers on anything they did in an old Parliament.

The rule change popped up in a press statement on Tuesday. A day later Mr. Lowe refused to admit he had authored the release but he then promised to explain it in yesterday's House of Assembly session.

However no elaboration was forthcoming yesterday as he told MPs: "I met in chambers with the Leader of the Opposition this week, I decided to defer a statement until the next day of meeting.

The Leader of the Opposition knows what it is all about. At this stage it's a private matter."

He said no questions would be dealt with this week, pending next week's announcement. In the earlier press statement, from Cabinet Office, Mr. Lowe was quoted as saying: "Ministers will not be required or obligated to respond to the questions put on Ministerial travel prior to December 20, 2007."

The United Bermuda Party believe the ruling weakens Bermuda's democracy and undermines the role of Parliament as a watchdog. And they have claimed the statement originated in the Premier's office.

Government travel has long been an embarrassing issue for the Progressive Labour Party with more than $7.4 million set aside in this year's budget — $5 million more than the $2.2 million spent in 1998/99.

Premier Ewart Brown had branded the questions as a form of time wasting.

In yesterday's motion to adjourn UBP MP Mark Pettingill told those on the Government benches: "The truth will set you free."

Those who elect to serve in public office must be prepared for scrutiny and tough questions may be asked even when people are innocent of any wrongdoing, he said.

This, he declared, is the mark of "a sophisticated democracy," such as the one Dr. Brown has spoken of. "Do not stifle us with misguided power play," he urged. "Let there be no fettering in this country with regards to democracy."

His party colleague Pat Gordon Pamplin said the questions being asked were of legitimate concern.

"We do not have to hide under Parliamentary privilege, we just want to truth to be outed," she said.

And UBP leader Kim Swan told The Royal Gazette: "We were anticipating a decision today.

"The only thing we can do is continue to wait until the Speaker addresses the issue in the House next Friday. Until then, our position is clear."