to Government.

But Acting Finance Minister Alex Scott told MPs that the Accountant General's Office would begin to act as more of "a collection agency'' in an attempt to make an impact on millions of dollars out outstanding bills owed to Government.

And he said the 60-day period for referral to collection agencies of bad debts would be enforced.

And he warned: "Nobody who has a bad debt should think this is backing away.

"Probably we're going to become a little bit more rapacious in our pursuit of what is owed to the public purse.'' The move is in line with Auditor's recommendations that old bad debts should be wiped off the books to give a clear picture of Government finances.

Development and Opportunity Minister Terry Lister added: "We need to clear the decks and clean house before moving forward.'' But Mr. Scott rejected suggestions of a list of shame to force debtors to pay up.

Mr. Scott said: "We can carry on good Government business and processes, get the funds owed to the public purse without carrying out a witchhunt.

"We feel we can get to those who owe us money in a far more appropriate manner.'' But he insisted: "This is not an invitation to those who, in the past, felt they could get away with gifts from Government.'' And he added new Financial Instructions would be issued to ensure a get tough policy on debt collection.

Shadow Finance Minister Grant Gibbons said that -- until written guidelines were issued -- it was hard to comment on the debt collection drive.

And he said it still appeared there was "a fair amount'' of local judgment in the hands of individual departments.

And he asked if bad debts over a certain limit could be referred to the Public Accounts Committee for oversight purposes.

The House also backed amendments to the Companies Act -- bringing it into line with current practice in other major economic powers like Britain and Hong Kong.

Mr. Lister , who kicked off the debate, said: "Bermuda is a small jurisdiction, but we have to take account of the fact we not only have local companies, but international ones and laws need constantly updated to keep abreast of business law elsewhere.'' The Act includes the abolition of a rule requiring a person who bought shares after being misled by a company having to rescind the contract of purchase before suing.

And a corporation which holds shares as a nominee will be able to appoint multiple representatives who can separately vote the shares of each person for whom the nominee acts.

An Act setting fees for marriages on the high seas by masters of Bermuda-registered ships was also passed.

Mr. Scott said that the measure was expected to generate $300,000 a year from seven cruise ships -- expected to fly the Bermuda Red Ensign in the near future -- alone.