LONDON, Aug. 9 (Xinhuanet) -- The British Home Office is considering special courts sitting in secret for pre-trial hearings in terror cases, the Sky news reported Tuesday.

    Security-cleared judges would look at whether there was enough evidence against suspects for cases to proceed and determine how long suspects should be detained without charge.

    British Prime Minister Tony Blair, unveiling new anti-terror measures, said on Friday the government was looking into a new court procedure allowing pre-trial hearings.

    The Home Office said details of how terror cases would be triedwere still being worked out, but confirmed a move to judge-only courts was under active consideration.

    Defendants are represented by special advocates, who have access to the evidence but do not brief their 'clients' on the details.

    The Home Office has said there is no truth in newspaper reportsthat the courts would be able to use phone-tap evidence, which is currently inadmissible.

    Unveiling a raft of counter-terror proposals on Friday, Blair said British hospitality had been abused but people should know the "rules of the game are changing."

    He also announced plans to extend powers to deport or exclude foreigners who encourage terrorism, perhaps through changing humanrights laws.

    There could also be new powers to close mosques and automatic refusal of asylum to anyone with anything to do with terrorism.

    Police and lawyers are also meeting this week to discuss the possibility of charging some outspoken Islamist radicals with treason.

    However, opposition parties -- the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats -- have accused the government of confusion by continuing to announce new measures in response to the July 7 attacks. Enditem