Senators lost no time yesterday in approving a bill allowing for the Island?s 60 registered surveyors to use an official stamp certifying their work.

The stamp will carry the words ?Professional Registered Surveyor? and include the surveyor?s certification number and the branch to which he or she is registered, said ruling party Senator Neville Tyrell who introduced the bill.

He also said that the measure will bring surveyors in line with other professionals such as architects and engineers.

?I am sure Senators will agree that it makes good sense for surveyors? drawings and documents to be clearly stamped and signed to confirm the veracity of these documents,? he said.

?Plans prepared for planning applications, plans for deeds, documents for probate or legal proceedings and the like are all very important documents that would benefit from an official stamp.?

Asked by Opposition Senator Kim Swan whether there had been sufficient consultation with the profession, Sen. Tyrell said that the measures had been proposed to Government by the chairman of the Professional Surveyors Registration Council.

And in response to another query by Senator Walwyn Hughes, Sen. Tyrell said that Government was still committed to the land registry project.

?It hasn?t disappeared,? he said, adding that consultants had visited the Island in December.