Training troops in counter-terrorism procedures will be top of the cards among the priorities of the Bermuda Regiment's new leader.

And Lieutenant Colonel Edward Lamb said he would like to see Bermuda's conscription laws enforced more rigorously when he spoke to The Royal Gazette yesterday.

His comments came as it emerged that Government is planning to table amendments to conscription regulations in the House of Assembly, although the nature of the proposed changes were not known by Press time last night.

At the Warwick Camp parade ground, all you could hear was the flutter of the Colours and the footsteps of meticulously polished shoes as Lt. Col. Lamb gratefully accepted the Sword of Command from his predecessor Lt. Col. David Gibbons.

Ranks of soldiers in full dress stood to attention as the piped verses of Amazing Grace echoed around the courtyard in respectful recognition of the hand over, which saw Lt. Col. Gibbons step down after two years at in command.

Upon accepting the sword, which was first presented to the Regiment commander by Governor Sir Edwin Leather in 1977, Lt. Col. Lamb said: "I intend to take my responsibilities very seriously and thrust myself into the rigours of this job with every ounce of blood coursing through my veins and every droplet of perspiration on my brow."

Yesterday, he said: "It hasn't really hit me yet. I suppose it will hit me tomorrow morning. To be charged with taking command is a weighty responsibility but I'm not daunted by it."

Asked which direction he intended to take the Regiment in during his tenure, he said, in light of September 11, he wanted to broaden the service's ability to assist the Police in areas such as counter-terrorism.

"I'd like to see us do things differently in light of current events. It is possible that we could arrange special training for soldiers so that they are able to do things, including the disposal of explosives and ordnance."

Lt. Col. Lamb added: "I'd also like to have our soldiers trained so that they know how to handle hazardous material, a concern which was shown up by the recent anthrax scares."

He said he was interested in sending Regiment soldiers to Britain or elsewhere to gain extra skills in dealing with terrorist threats, similar the way in which the service recently sent one of its troops to Jamaica to learn how to properly search people and vehicles.

"It would be a case of qualifying our own people internally based on the knowledge of men who have been overseas and gained the training.

"We always look at the big picture. The Regiment will continue to do what it does, will embellish those things and will add to those things hopefully."

He said he also envisioned the Regiment's role at sea being enhanced should Government take ownership of a 42-foot cutter from the United States Coast Guard.

Asked about his stance on to the controversial subject of conscription, Lt. Col. Lamb said: "I think conscription needs to be enforced more rigorously. Without it, we would not have an army and Bermuda needs the army for a multitude of reasons."

Noting that the Regiment was currently undermanned by about a hundred bodies, he said: "Until there is a guaranteed alternative that will ensure we are able to fill our ranks, we need conscription."

He added: "Whether a man admits it or not, he is better off for serving in the Regiment and the Country is better off for his service. The term conscription evokes so much emotion and it has such a negative connotation.

"In my opinion, the service is the price of admission for living in a free affluent society such as ours. Sadly, there are not enough young men willing to take a stand and contribute but this is an integral part of our community and, to fill the ranks, conscription is the way to go."

On the question of whether he thought women should be called up too, Lt. Col. Lamb said: "Well, women may be in circumstances that men just won't find themselves in. How would you enforce it with someone who was pregnant for instance? Also there are a lot of single mothers in the age bracket that conscription would affect."

He said: "That is a social issue though. That is not to say that women can not be soldiers and I don't think that there is anything wrong with women being involved in the Regiment."