Senators yesterday passed a bill making it harder to evade Regiment service, but wondered how the institution could be sold to young Bermudians.

The Defence Amendment Act 2002, which allows the Regiment to enlist people in their absence, was unanimously approved.

The measures effectively allow for automatic enlisting of people who fail to show up at Warwick Camp. And it means that the court system will effectively be bypassed for draft dodgers as those who fail to show up for their medical examination, the final stage of recruitment, will be enlisted anyway and then be subject to military discipline.

The purpose of the law is to boost numbers in the Regiment which is currently undermanned by about 200 conscripts.

Senators agreed that the Regiment was an important institution but lamented the fact that for many young people it had no relevance.

Government Senate Leader David Burch, who steered the bill through the Upper Chamber, reminded his colleagues that Government was criticised in 2001 for its plans to spend money on an expanded role for the Regiment.

"We can address the problem of relevance by expanding its role, particularly the full time role and incorporating the maritime role and by increasing the profile of the Regiment (will increase) the obvious benefits of participation," he said.

Sen. Burch, a former Regiment Commanding Officer, added that society should not expect that the Regiment will solve all discipline problems.

"It starts with families, schools and churches."