A new bill which would allow a government quango to grant longer leases to developers thereby paving the way for the redevelopment of Dockyard is not actually needed, according to Opposition politicians.

The draft legislation, which got through its second reading in the House of Assembly yesterday, would let the West End Development Corporation (Wedco) grant 120-year leases as opposed to ones for just 21 years.

The Corporation?s plan to transform two run-down buildings in the Victualling Yard at Dockyard by adding 56 houses for sale has been stalled because of the lease straitjacket.

The buildings are on either side of the Courtyard behind the Frog and Onion and one is virtually empty while the other was gutted by fire. claimed yesterday in the House that the original Wedco Act did not restrict the quango to granting leases of only 21 years.

And questioned whether the new law was needed.

He asked former Wedco chairman to explain what led him to think there was a 21-year limit on leases granted by the quango.

He said: ?Clearly it would be a huge embarrassment to the individual in question, Mr. Lister, and also the Government if they thought they were limited to 21 years and in fact they haven?t been.?

Mr. Lister said: ?At no time during my chairmanship was I advised that we were unable to go beyond the 21 years. This legislation is abundantly clear. We are trying to regularise a number of areas so that we have 120-year leases.?

Wedco?s annual report of 2004 stated that the quango?s inability to enter into long-term leases of more than 21 years was a ?major stumbling block in discussions with potential local and overseas developers?.

It said: ?The corporation continues to seek resolution of the need to have long lease capability to be able to compete for the international development funds.?

The Wedco bill was among four new pieces of draft legislation which all passed the committee stage yesterday, moving a step closer to becoming law.

All increase the lease limit of 21 years that exists in some cases to a maximum term of 120 years.

The other bills are the Department of Works and Engineering Amendment Act 2006, the Bermuda Housing Amendment Act 2006 and the Base Lands Development Amendment Act 2006.

The Government says the changes would speed up home building and long-awaited redevelopment of areas like Dockyard.

The new limit would apply to lease deals struck by Wedco, the Bermuda Housing Corporation, the Bermuda Land Development Company and the Department of Works and Engineering.told members that the extension of leases to 120 years was ?reasonable, rational and very practical?.

And said: ?What we are doing is initiating policy that will be consistent with a vision.?