especially those convicted of offences against children -- is set to be unveiled this morning.

Home Affairs and Public Safety Minister Paula Cox is likely to table the legislation during the morning session of the House of Assembly.

And Ms Cox will probably back up the bill with a statement to MPs outlining the reasons for the proposed law.

But the Minister was yesterday playing her cards close to her chest and declined to comment on the detail of the bill.

However she said: "It's not exactly a draft bill -- but it will be sitting for consideration over the Easter recess.'' Ms Cox offered a rough outline of what Government was planning earlier this year.

She said: "We're currently preparing legislation which will enable us to monitor and better control convicted sex offenders when they're released from prison.'' And she hinted then that mandatory treatment programmes could be introduced, as only half of sex offenders are currently receiving professional assistance.

But she insisted that the legislation would strike a balance between protecting the community and supervising offenders without damaging the prospects of rehabilitation.

A year ago, a group made of children's and women's groups and social workers, as well as United Bermuda Party MP Kim Young called for a new board to be set up and notified of the release of sex offenders and changes of address.

In 1998, Canadian prisons chief Ole Ingstrup, who signed a co-operation deal with Prisons Commissioner Ed Dyer, said Canada now had laws which allowed for the supervision of sex offenders for up to ten years outside prison walls.

New proposals for sex pests And he added that new treatment programmes for sex offenders had cut the repeat offence rate by up to 50 percent.

But he stressed that treatment inside prison -- for sex offenders and other criminals -- was also vital.

Ms Cox has already said new laws to cut the possibility of sex offenders committing more crimes would run alongside Government's "alternatives to incarceration'' programme and the planned halfway house for prisoners training for freedom.

Also today, Premier Jennifer Smith is expected to table an new education bill on behalf of Education Minister Sen. Milton Scott and make a Ministerial statement, although the subject is unknown.

Sen. Scott -- for whom the Premier acts in the House -- yesterday declined to discuss the bill.

The House order paper has only two items listed -- and neither is scheduled for debate today.

Environment Minister Arthur Hodgson has said he wants his Green Paper on the marine environment to be discussed in the community further before he brings it for debate.

And Shadow Finance Minister Grant Gibbons confirmed his "take note'' motion on the present state and future direction of the Island's massive international business sector will not be brought forward until a later date.