Government is polling business, the public and its own workers to find out what services should be offered via the Internet.

Currently firms can submit race reporting forms on line and enter their names at the Registrar of Companies - the public can also view these files on-line.

Government is planning an expansion of Internet transactions to cut red tape for the 80 percent of Bermuda's population which has access to the 'Net via the home or work.

Marketing firms will be polling 400 members of the public, 400 businesses and the Government's nearly 5,000-strong workforce during October. Telecommunications Minister Renee Webb said electronic Government offers the potential to radically improve the way Government delivers services to the public.

She said: "I want the message to go out that we are listening and we want your views."

She said in other countries, e-Government services allow people to register births, marriages and deaths online, renew vehicle registrations and pay parking tickets online while businesses can file licence applications, pay taxes and submit employment records online 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Possibilities for Bermuda include voter registration, car, boat and bike registration, vehicle licence renewals, driving test applications, parking ticket payments, building permit applications, evening class enrolment and job applications.

Ms Webb said e-Government was a further step in government's programme to modernise the Bermuda Civil Service.

She said: "Electronic government will happen in Bermuda and it is important for all the stakeholders involved to be part of the process."

Computer security has been addressed with the Government licensing QuoVadis to provide electronic ID to ensure Internet transactions are kept private.

Ms Webb said Government "takes seriously its responsibility to protect the personal information of our citizens", and expects proposals to be before Cabinet by the end of the year.

Members of the public and businesses not polled can still make suggestions via the Central Policy Website at www.cpu.bdagov.bm.