A controversial bill to allow Government to postpone elections in the event of natural disasters or hurricanes is set to come back to the House of Assembly today.

In a surprise move last Friday, the Progressive Labour Party won a vote against the bill on the third reading -- even after two provisions which provoked fury on the Opposition benches were deleted.

Labour and Home Affairs Minister Quinton Edness removed the two items from the bill, which is based on Jamaican legislation, which allowed for postponement of elections or referendums if election materials are not to hand or the Electoral Register is not complete.

Opposition MPs queued up to object to the items, claiming Government could use the legislation to delay elections if the polls were not favouring them -- a claim dismissed by Government MPs as "paranoia''.

The Parliamentary Election Amendment Act 1997 was prompted by the row over the one-day postponement of the Independence Referendum in the wake of 1995's Hurricane Felix.

Mr. Edness said: "I don't expect much trouble this time -- there shouldn't have been any problems the last day of meeting. There was no rhyme or reason to what happened.

"Usually there is an honour system when there is a third reading -- we don't have to wait around for it. It was very unusual for the Opposition to object to the third reading -- especially after I amended the clause which caused them so much concern.'' Also on the agenda for today is the Code of Practice for the elimination of racial discrimination and the promotion of equality of opportunity in employment, which will be introduced by Education Minister Jerome Dill.

MPs will also consider a proposal to buy land owned by John W. Swan Ltd. for $750,000 at Lighthouse Hill, Southampton, and the resale of part of the land.

It is understood Government want the land to preserve it as open space, adding to and improving Lighthouse Park.