said yesterday.

The Hon. John Stubbs said the laws encouraged promiscuity and therefore the spread of AIDS.

Dr. Stubbs spoke to The Royal Gazette after presenting his private bill abolishing the prohibition on homosexual sex to MPs.

His proposed Act of Parliament would remove two sections from the Island's Criminal Code, which lists offences and their punishments.

The change would give more respect to the human rights of homosexuals and was long overdue, said Dr. Stubbs.

In the 1960s, an official commission in Britain had concluded: "What happens between consenting adults in private is not appropriate for the law to consider''.

The MP added: "These two sections only touch on male homosexual activity.

There is not a word on lesbianism, fornication or adultery -- none of these matters get the consideration of the law.

"So we should not allow this trespass on the human rights of a fair number of people in this Island -- I would say in the region of 10 percent,'' he said.

"It adds a little bit to promiscuity and furtiveness. That can, and does, kill people.'' Dr. Stubbs' proposal will go on MPs' agenda for Friday, but is very unlikely to be debated. He estimates March 11 is the earliest it would be discussed.

He said he would discuss plans to have a secret ballot on the bill in the House. But he doubted there would be enough support for that plan.

However, MPs would vote freely, on their own "conscience'', not according to party discipline.

The bill would remove sections 177 and 179 of the Island's criminal code.

Section 177 makes "buggery'' an offence punishable by a maximum 10 years in jail. Men or women taking part in such an act can be guilty.

Attempted buggery is also illegal under section 177, with a maximum penalty of five years.

Section 179 makes "gross indecency'' between men illegal, whether public or private.

Procuring someone to commit such an offence, or attempting to procure someone, is also illegal. The maximum punishment for these offences is two years.

Dr. Stubbs said abolishing the laws would not mean obscene demonstrations in the streets would be legal.

"Public indecency is covered elsewhere in the Criminal Code,'' he said. He said "other steps'' could follow in the area of gay rights. But he preferred not to discuss them. "It makes people nervous,'' he said.