laws at their fingertips.

The question was raised shortly before the House of Assembly passed the 1993 Computerisation Provision of Laws Act on Friday.

The bill, presented by Delegated Affairs Minister the Hon. Sir John Sharpe , requires that changes made in law are published along with official notices listing the law's effective date.

While admitting the bill cleans up the Act, Opposition Leader Mr. Frederick Wade said he was still waiting for an index to the House's new set of law books.

"I'm still waiting for the index to show up so I will know where to find this bill,'' he said. "The Minister should see that we get an index done so members can use the books intelligently.'' In fact, he said, the laws should be on discs "by now'' rather than "in a huge set of books''. Mr. Wade said this was promised when the House was first presented with the bill. National Liberal Party Leader Mr. Gilbert Darrell noted some of the laws were not yet bound into books -- which only included legislation up to 1986.

He said the House should be able to get copies of the books soon after they are put together.

Opposition MP Mr. Walter Roberts reminded the House that "years ago'' the Finance Minister promised to have laws computerised.

"It certainly will help the clerk of the House, members of the House, and those who work on amendments,'' he said.

And he said it would be helpful to put terminals in the House so that laws could be updated as they are passed. He asked when such terminals will be available.

Sir John said he could not say when this will occur. But he assured MPs that it will.

He also agreed with Mr. Wade that there was a need for an index to the law books.