on hold.

But United Bermuda Party senators last night refused to rule out a last-ditch attempt to have the Telecommunications Amendment Bill 1996 discussed again at next week's Senate sitting.

The three-page ruling from Senate president Albert Jackson said: "It is recommended that Senator Pitman consider the withdrawal of his motion to re-introduce debate of the bill at this time.'' Senate last week sent the bill -- which is designed to open up the Island's telecommunications industry to competition -- back to the House of Assembly after a minor amendment was passed with support from Opposition Senators and the Independent group by six votes to five.

That meant it would be November -- when the House reconvenes -- before the bill could be discussed and sent back to Senate.

But Sen. Gary Pitman argued that the bill could be discussed again and tabled a motion that discussion should re-open.

Sen. Jackson, however, said that he would have to take independent advice before making a decision.

But his ruling was not an outright ban on Senate discussing the bill again.

UBP Senate Leader Lynda Milligan-Whyte said Sen. Jackson had "basically requested that the motion be withdrawn''.

But she added: "I have to seek advice from the Attorney-General before I can comment.'' When asked last night if there was another route which may be taken to get the bill passed through the Senate, Sen. Milligan-Whyte said: "I am not going to answer that.'' Sen. Pitman, who was in charge of the bill, was not at Senate yesterday because he is off the Island and not expected to return until the weekend.

Sen. Jackson's ruling said that the rules of Senate meant that the responsibility for the next step lay with the Senator responsible for the bill.

He added: "It is in that spirit that my statement offers my advice as a suggestion.

"I came to the point that under the circumstances where the bill has been passed through the Senate and is now on its way to the House of Assembly to be reconsidered as far as the amendment is concerned that it would be in the best interests of all concerned if Senator Pitman considered the withdrawal of his motion to re-introduce.'' Sen. Jackson said he did not expect to see a vote on his statement, although Sen. Pitman was not available to respond.

He added: "I am hoping he will see the merit in the recommendation and act accordingly, which would be the withdrawal of the bill.

"If he persists with the motion I am not quite sure on what basis future debate can proceed. In technical terms, the bill is no longer before the Senate.'' Sen. Jackson added he felt it was pity that important pieces of legislation were sent to Senate at the end of the session in the House of Assembly.

He said: "It means that if Senate does its work carefully and should find basis on which amendments should be passed then this could hold up the passage of some of this important legislation -- unless the House of Assembly is recalled.'' Telecommunications Minister John Barritt said last night further moves were in the hands of his Senate colleagues.

He added licences could be offered to the four firms interested in joining the Bermudian telecommunications network could still be offered.

But he said having the Amendment Act passed before that happened had been "the preferred course of action''.