The pace of legislation making its way through the House of Assembly has slowed to a trickle, according to the Opposition United Bermuda Party.

But Legislative Affairs Minister Michael Scott this week said that, while there has been a "natural slowdown" due to civil servants at all levels taking a break over Easter, a number of major bills will be considered before the summer break.

"It's not always about keeping the pump running at high speed, it's a question of ensuring that there is good legislation which supports the Government's policies and the Government's main agenda," Mr. Scott said.

"And that the legislation is not brought on in a hurried fashion. It's brought on after due vetting and consultation with all persons who are going to be affected by the legislation. All the exigencies come into play including civil servants taking well deserved leave over the Easter break."

Parliament resumed on May 7 after the Easter break, skipped the second meeting, and since then legislators have passed just five bills in as many sittings.

According to Opposition House Leader John Barritt, none of the bills were of "earth shattering" importance.

"It does seem to me to be decelerating and noticeably," he said.

"My concern is that it's been trickling in and we are going to be in the end of summer rush for what could be important legislation."

But the former Cabinet Minister said that he understood the challenges faced with the legislative pipeline and said Government should probably look into outsourcing some of the drafting.

Mr. Scott responded: "There is a degree of outsourcing that takes place in any event ? mostly through BIBA. We've never experimented with outsourcing other than Finance legislation or amendments to the Companies Act."

And, he said, the Ministers of Education, Labour and Home Affairs, Environment, Health and Family Services and Legislative Affairs should all be introducing bills to the House of Assembly before the summer break.

Mr. Scott added that the Ombudsman legislation was the Premiers' responsibility and "may well" be taken up before the summer break.

A recess date has not been set yet, but it could be as late as the last Friday before Cup Match - another seven weeks ? if Premier Alex Scott continues a trend set by his predecessor.

Major bills promised in the Throne Speech, such as legislation setting up the office of the Ombudsman and amendments to the Criminal Code have yet to be taken up.

A series of Criminal Code amendments will establish a "zero tolerance" for crime, according to the Throne Speech.

The proposals include making sports clubs increased penalty zones, expanding police powers of arrest for assault and increasing penalties for assaults involving everyday items used as weapons.

Government also plans to introduce legislation to deal with people who give false information when stopped by the Police, and increase fines and penalties for speeding.

Other initiatives promised in the Throne Speech but not yet taken up include amendments to the Police Complaints Authority Act, asbestos abatement legislation and the White Paper on the Marine Environment and Bermuda's Fishing Industry.

"There's still a fair bit and since we broke for the Budget debate in March it's been twelve weeks and the legislation has been coming forward very slowly. It's been 12 weeks since that and there's been five weeks since we came back, and here we are with no legislation," Mr. Barritt said.

"This is not a new trend for this Government or for previous administrations but it seems to me to be getting worse. This is a trend where legislation piles up until the end."