Government has denied dragging its feet over getting the Land Title Registry fully working.

However it is still making no promises on when it will pass legislation to allow it to log private land.

Two years after it was established, the Land Title Registry office, which will cost more than $1 million to run this year, is still able to only log Government property until the law is changed.

The Land Title Register is supposed to create a definitive record of ownership so it will no longer be necessary to undertake lengthy investigation of title each time a property is sold or mortgaged.

And it's claimed it will reduce disputes over ownership.

At the weekend Opposition Works and Engineering spokeswoman Patricia Gordon-Pamplin criticised Government for not following through with the concept, as she lambasted its scattershot approach to projects.

Yesterday Works and Engineering Minister Derrick Burgess hit back saying: "The Government strongly rejects any suggestion that it is not following through on its promise to establish land title registration in Bermuda.

"The Government also strongly rejects the suggestion that its approach in this area is 'scattershot'.

"In fact, Government has an approach that is measured and focused, one that reflects extensive research and one that ensures a first class land title register for Bermuda."

A Government statement explained the office is now headed by experienced British Land Registry staff while two Bermudians are being trained as Land Title Officers.

The Bar Association, the Association of Surveyors and the Island's lending institutions had all been consulted, said the statement.

Now a 110-page document 'A Land Title Registration System for Bermuda: Report and Guidance Notes on Proposals for Legislation' is with the Attorney-General's Chambers for consideration and will form the basis for a draft Bill to be presented in Parliament.

The statement added: "Once a draft Bill has been produced, the affected professions and public will again be consulted before the Bill is presented to Parliament."

Last night Mrs Gordon-Pamplin said: "Government prides itself on keeping the public under-informed on matters relating to the expenditure of the public purse.

"Only with intense prodding and interrogation, is information forthcoming.

"It appears from this explanation that progress is being made, but the failure to bring legislation to the House of Assembly causes such progress to appear non-existent.

"We certainly look forward to the legislation and to the complete rolling out of the Registry for the benefit of all of Bermuda.

"I also trust that the testing of the system is useful and that any problems can be ironed out expeditiously."