Last-minute changes will be made to the upcoming Throne Speech as a result of the September 11 attacks on the United States. Premier Jennifer Smith, in a television interview last night said that the attacks were going to have legislative repercussions. Parliament resumes in early November. Ms Smith said that Bermuda's response to the international call for measures to combat terrorism meant quick legislative action.

And she warned that increased Government expenditure was in the offing as a result. "Bermuda, as a financial services centre can certainly do what it can to ensure there is no safe place... for the money that fuels such terrorism," she told Jim McKey on ZBM television.

An Order in Council extending to Bermuda a recent United Nations Security Council resolution on terrorism became effective this week, she revealed.

"And we've been informed.. that there are some other measures that Bermuda... would have to institute legislatively."

She added that while there were calls that Government exercise extra care over spending, Government already exercises financial restraint.

"But certainly there are extra burdens being put on Government in terms of increased expenditure that we will have to do. There is no doubt about it."

"We just have to shoulder the burden, as the rest of the world is shouldering the burden, of meeting and coming to grips with the increased level of security that is necessary. And of course as a choice destination we want all travellers - both local and tourists - to feel comfortable and safe in Bermuda. And that's going to mean an increase in cost."

Ms Smith also talked about her attendance at the recent Overseas Territories Consultative Council meeting.

"It turned out that much of this meeting was concerned with the events of September 11, with either the financial implications, with the legislative implications in terms of the ability of the territories to respond to resolutions that are coming out of the UN and resolutions that are coming out of the EU," she said.

"And are they able to adopt them quickly and put them in place - because of course the administering power is being held responsible for each of the Territories' ability to also adopt these resolutions.

"So meetings are being held constantly and we are being asked to move very quickly... So you can imagine the kind of work that's being done within Government to do this."

She said that the UK will be sending a study team to all of the colonies in order to assess the impact of the September 11 events and what help was needed.

And asked how important it was to attend the British Labour Party conference which followed soon after the Consultative Council Meeting, she said it was "invaluable" as a place to lobby British ministers face to face.