until February 3.

Some cutting debate can be expected along with the Christmas wishes.

The Civil Airports Amendment Act 1994 and The Human Rights Amendment Act 1994 are the two items on the Order Paper that Government plans to debate, said Government Whip Mr. John Barritt.

The Civil Airports Amendment Bill 1994 turns control of the Airport over to the Minister of Transport and establishes an Airport Department to assist the Minister.

Currently, the Transport Minister is only responsible for administration of the Airport, not its operation.

The new law would also empower the Minister to enter into Airport contracts where the value did not exceed $1 million.

Debate on the bill could spark a full-fledged debate on the handling of the closure of the US Naval Air Station and Government's Bases takeover policy.

Management and Technology Minister the Hon. Grant Gibbons is expected to make a statement on the Bases this morning.

Also set for debate today is The Human Rights Amendment Bill 1994, brought forward by Human Affairs Minister the Hon. Jerome Dill.

The bill would allow the Human Rights Commission to initiate investigations in cases where it feels there are reasonable grounds for a case of discrimination. Presently, the commission only acts on complaints.

The new law would also allow the commission to approve affirmative action plans.

The bill will likely result in debate about racism in Bermuda.

HURRICANE SEASON TO BE `ACTIVE' HUR Hurricane season to be `active' US Hurricane expert Dr. William Gray, whose prediction for a light season this year was on the mark, is forecasting "an extremely active'' 1995 season.

Dr. Gray and his colleagues in their first of a planned three official 1995 forecasts predicted eight hurricanes, including three "intense'' ones, a Colorado State University news release said this week.

The Atlantic hurricane season runs June through November.

The continued presence of the El Nino weather system phenomenon and high pressure readings in the Atlantic basin thwarted the activity of any high category hurricanes in 1994, Dr. Gray concluded.

In fact, as Dr. Gray predicted, only one intense hurricane formed -- one of category three or higher with winds of 115 miles an hour and up.

Recently collected data now indicates the unprecedented stay of El Nino is coming to an end.

In addition, predictions of a wet season in Africa and a forecast of westerly upper-level winds are prompting Dr. Gray to predict three and a half times more stronger hurricane activity for next season.

In his third forecast for 1994, Dr. Gray was exactly right with his prediction of seven named storms and near the mark with his forecast of 30 named storm days -- there were 28, the news release said.