passport queues.

Government has signed a deal with computer giant IBM to test the FastGate smart card which uses a hand print and card the size of a credit card to identify a person.

Under the system, the card, which is encoded with personal details, is swiped through a machine which also electronically reads a person's palm print.

If the information matches records on a central computer the person is allowed through immigration. The system will also ask the person whether they have anything to declare.

IBM officials are due to arrive in Bermuda today and it is expected that the system will be up and running by February next year.

Although similar systems exist elsewhere, IBM feels its system could become standard in airports around the world before the turn of the century.

According to Michael Oatley, director of Government's computer systems and services department, Bermuda was already looking into new technology when the IBM option emerged.

"We came across this initiative that IBM wanted to do and had been developing with larger airports in Britain, Germany and Australia,'' said Mr. Oatley.

"But we were able to make a decision quicker than these other places. In addition we are smaller and make a good pilot site.

"It was a combination of the Bermuda Government being able to reach a decision and being a good pilot site that brought the technology here.'' People will have to enlist in the new FastGate card and a central computer will hold records that can be matched using computers at the Airport. No price has yet been fixed for the new card.

IBM says the whole process will last no more than 15 seconds for people to swipe their cards and have their palm print read.