controversial bill to ban restaurants with a foreign flavour returns to the front tomorrow.

The ruling United Bermuda Party -- which holds its caucus today -- is still trying to find a way to minimise embarrassment by a rebel grouping of five MPs, three of them now Government Ministers.

And the Opposition Progressive Labour Party is set to continue to present a united front, back the rebels and force through the Prohibited Restaurants Bill -- despite misgivings by some of its MPs.

But it is likely the Act will pass with a whimper rather than a bang.

United Bermuda Party insiders said it was likely Government would not use the Whip -- as it did in the original vote on the issue -- and allow the bill to pass into law quietly.

And they pointed out it was a private member's bill -- not Government business.

On the third reading, bills are normally passed by a voice vote -- but it is possible a name poll could be called for in a bid to maximise embarrassment.

PLP Leader Jennifer Smith yesterday said her party's caucus, due to meet last night, had yet to discuss the issue -- and added it was unlikely she would reveal the party's tactics in advance, anyway.

But -- despite efforts to contrast PLP unity with UBP bickering -- the issue is likely to have led to some bruising encounters in private.

UBP Premier Pamela Gordon could not be contacted for comment last night.

During the original debate last year, the UBP rebels -- Ann Cartwright DeCouto, Trevor Moniz, Dr. Clarence Terceira, CV (Jim) Woolridge and Dr. David Dyer, the last three all now Ministers -- pushed the bill through its second reading 23-16 with PLP support.

Some PLP Members, however, appeared to argue in favour of franchises, including Dr. Ewart Brown and Renee Webb.

Then Acting Leader Eugene Cox insisted the Whip had not been used -- although Ms Webb said if a free vote had been allowed, she would have voted for franchises as a means of creating opportunites for those whose access to business life would otherwise be limited.

Offer extended Western Resources Inc. has extended its tender offer expiration date for its tender offer for Bermuda-based ADT Ltd. to July 8.

The decision came after 1.36 million shares or less than one percent of the company's stock had been tendered to Western as of late Tuesday -- the original deadline. Western already owns 27 percent of the company, which opposes the takeover bid.