MPs to introduce a motion to legalise gay sex, veteran Government MP Mr.

William Cox charged yesterday.

Premier the Hon. Sir John Swan normally forbids United Bermuda Party caucus members from introducing private member's bills, Mr. Cox told The Royal Gazette .

"John Swan has said he totally disapproves of anyone bringing forward a motion or a bill or anything at all, other than through Cabinet,'' he said.

"He has put an absolute no to any private member sponsoring anything.

"The other side of that, which he of course doesn't like, is that if something which is controversial has to be put forward they would like to buck pass ... and make someone else do it.'' Bermuda is under pressure from gay rights activists in the US to amend a rarely-used law which provides a penalty of up to 10 years in prison for sex between men.

Community and Cultural Affairs Minister the Hon. Leonard Gibbons has challenged a backbencher or Opposition member to introduce an amendment to the criminal code that would make consensual sex between adult males legal.

But Mr. Cox, the MP who introduced the motion in 1971, said Cabinet guards its "governing monopoly,'' except when it is politically convenient to do otherwise.

About 10 years ago, Mr. Cox said he wanted to introduce an amendment to the act which regulated daylight savings time, "and was told that if the change should be made the Premier would arrange for one of his Ministers to do it, which is what happened.'' Later, he introduced a private member's bill to prohibit the granting of liquor licences on public beaches. Cabinet defeated the bill, "not because it had no merit, but because it encroached on their governing monopoly,'' he said.

No Cabinet minister wants to introduce a bill to change the gay sex law, because "it might damage them in their constituencies, or cause them to have their legs pulled for being a queer,'' Mr. Cox said.

Sir John was off the Island yesterday, but Information Minister the Hon.

Michael Winfield said: "I have never heard the Premier instruct anyone not to introduce a private member's bill.'' And Mr. Cox was not making the proper distinction between bills which affect Government policy and those which are matters of conscience, Mr. Winfield said.

"It is quite natural that policies of Government, when requiring legislation, should be sponsored by and enacted by Cabinet,'' he said. "All policies that are enacted are always discussed first in the caucus of the UBP, and usually twice.

"One operates on consensus.'' But any amendment to legalise gay sex is "a conscience issue, ... not policy-oriented,'' he said.

Mr. Cox said UBP caucus members could not even speak on a motion to adjourn without seeking Cabinet approval.

As for an Opposition member introducing the motion, "I don't think the Opposition has ever moved a motion or a bill that hasn't been shot down,'' Mr.

Cox said.

GAYS GAY