Ex-Government Minister Michael Winfield yesterday threw down the gauntlet to the Progressive Labour Party over the Bermudiana bill.

The Bermuda Financial Centre director challenged the Opposition to defend its support for the legislation.

"I fail to understand how the PLP can justify the position they are taking on the bill,'' he said. "It is totally and diametrically opposed to the position they would normally take. Their position asks as many questions as it provides answers.'' But the PLP yesterday defended its stance, saying the Bermudiana Site Rehabilitation Act 1996 offered the best solution to removing an eyesore from Pitts Bay Road.

BFCL's dream of developing the Bermudiana site for a hotel, offices and apartments all but died with Friday's 42-second hearing of the bill in the House of Assembly. 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 land, 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.

Now attention turns to the Senate where the bill will receive its first reading tomorrow. It is expected to be read a second and third time the following Wednesday.

Yesterday some Senators told The Royal Gazette they anticipated a debate on the bill in the Upper House.

Former BFCL president Mr. Winfield, who was also a Government Senator, said he was amazed at the way the bill was passed by MPs without debate.

And he called on Senators to show more responsibility.

"The fact Bermuda's entire future should be decided in 42 seconds raises serious questions as to the responsibility of our members of Parliament,'' he said.

"In my opinion it is no use being absent when a bill is presented and then bleating after it passes.

"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.

"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.'' Mr. Winfield said some people could see the private bill an "expedient answer'' to removing an ugly building.

But this was only a short-term consideration, he added.

"What we should all be looking at is what is in the best interests of Bermuda in the long-term.

"Hopefully the Senate will take the responsible position in consideration of this bill.'' Mr. Winfield gave little away about the future of BFCL.

"BFCL still believes there is potential and indeed serious discussions continue to go on. And we will obviously be examining all our options,'' he said.

Another BFCL director, Fraser Butterworth, has warned the bill probably destroyed Bermuda's last chance to have a new hotel.

Editorial: Page 4 Senate to debate private bill Argus managing director John Sainsbury said the Bermudiana saga was not yet over.

"The whole process is not complete. Planning permission still has to be given,'' he said. "I happen to believe, however, this scheme would be marvellous for the Country.

"It is imperative that the development be done tastefully and it can't be done on the cheap.'' He said ACE and Exel had the financial muscle to do a good job.

"They can produce something we will be proud of in a few years.'' Opposition Senate Leader Milton Scott yesterday defended his party's stance on the bill.

He said Bermuda could not wish for better corporate partners than ACE and Exel.

"International business has been a good corporate entity and should be supported.

"The PLP and the United Bermuda Party have reached a broad consensus. The PLP took the leadership on this issue. I think it's in the Country's best interest to go ahead with this.'' Sen. Scott said the PLP was not afraid to debate the bill in the Senate.

But he pointed out the legislation had already received an airing in the party's caucus. And this could explain the lack of debate in the Lower House.

"Private members' bills are very seldom debated,'' he said. "In the media there has been quite an extensive public hearing of the issue and what the project is worth to Bermuda.

"When I saw the pictures in The Royal Gazette about the state of Bermudiana Hotel, I thought thank God someone is going to do something about it.'' Government Sen. Lawrence Scott, who will introduce the bill for its second and third readings, said he would be inviting debate.

"I welcome discussion. I intend to give some background to the bill.'' Sen. Scott believed the debate would occur a week after the bill was tabled.

Government Senate Leader Lynda Milligan-Whyte admitted she was surprised the legislation had not been debated by MPs. And she anticipated discussion in the Senate.

"I believe there should be widespread debate on such a bill in both Houses.'' Independent Sen. Alf Oughton yesterday 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.

"My position really all depends on how the bill is presented in the Senate by Sen. Scott and what the others plan to do.

"I was surprised that the bill didn't get any discussion in the House of Assembly even though it had been well discussed among both political groups.'' Senators are expecting a short session tomorrow. On their agenda is the first reading of the Stalking Bill and the third reading of the Domestic Violence Bill.

Michael Winfield