the Green Paper appeared to lean towards Independence.

The committee which produced the paper did not explore the "status quo'', he said. This was because it was accepted Bermuda currently enjoyed a "sensible arrangement''.

Instead, the committee -- on which he served -- wanted to point out everything about the possibility of going independent, said Dr. Terceira. He continued by gently mocking the speech by Opposition Progressive Labour Party leader Mr.

Frederick Wade , which he described as "soporific'' and "hypnotic'' in the way it portrayed Independence as something wonderful.

He said Mr. Wade took the "sleeping pill'' approach to Independence.

But, like Independence, it would prove an extremely expensive pill.

On the other hand, said Dr. Terceira, his United Bermuda Party colleague Health Minister the Hon Quinton Edness had adopted the "euphoric pill'' approach. Mr. Edness believed there would be euphoria on the streets if Bermuda became Independent, said Dr. Terceira. It was a most extraordinary outlook, he added.

And he quipped: "If you put sleeping pills and euphoric pills together you get pretty ill -- and it's also very expensive.'' Dr. Terceira said he took the "down-to-earth pill'' approach to Independence.

This pill carried no extra cost because it supported the status quo.

Dr. Terceira quoted from a copy of the 1972 Green Paper on Independence in The Bahamas, before the country cut ties with Britain.

This paper maintained Bahamians would enjoy a better standard of living under Independence. But this had not turned out to be the case.

While Independence appeared very glamorous it was "very, very expensive'', said Dr. Terceira.

Turning to Bermuda's 1995 Green Paper, Dr. Terceira said costs had been touched upon.

But the true costs would probably be three times higher than those set out in the paper.

For instance, the paper estimated Independence could cost Bermuda $2,093,523.

The real figure would be more like $7 million, said Dr. Terceira, adding he told the Green Paper committee members of the way he viewed the figures.

Dr. Terceira told MPs he had researched the debts of some of the former British colonies.

The debts were: the Bahamas, $450.8 million; Barbados, $620 million; Jamaica, $4.46 billion; and Antigua, $240 million.

Jamaica's debts simply "boggled the mind'', said Dr. Terceira.

He pointed out the debt burdens of these former dependent territories had come about since they went independent.

"Who pays for the debt? Who pays for the extra costs? Do you raise taxes on gas, cars, land tax? Or do you cut down on expenditure? These are the things the Bermudian public should be thinking about.'' Dr. Terceira said overseas missions resulted in escalating costs for the Bahamas, after it went independent. Original estimates for overseas representation proved way too low. In 1994 it cost the Bahamas $9.4 million, and the expectation was that this year the figure would rise to about $10 million.

"There is the hope of having some economic returns for going independent, but one wonders what kind of that return that will be.'' Dr. Terceira said it was noticeable that the White Paper on Independence in the Bahamas made no mention of costs.

On dual citizenship, Dr. Terceira said he was pleased that Opposition leader Mr. Frederick Wade had gone along with this idea. "He has a very good reason, with his lovely triplets born in the US,'' he joked.

Dr. Terceira pointed out that 83 percent of those who had made submissions to Bermuda's Green Paper committee were against Independence.

He added that any politician who denied businesses were nervous about Independence had "buried their heads in the sand''.

"Businesses are reluctant to come out and say what they think. They want to get the matter over.

"Many have made arrangements to go elsewhere if we go Independent...it's a fact. It is in every boardroom discussion.'' Dr. Terceira added: "I am not saying if we go independent we will go all the way to hell in a basket, but I am concerned, the public is concerned, we might get almost there, or half the way there.'' Bermudians, whose jobs depended on international business, must be "very worried about the whole situation''. The impact on the balance of payments could also be sizable, said Dr. Terceira.

Dr. Terceira also raised the spectre of Bermuda's association with the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development lapsing and ceasing with Independence.

"That can't be driven home loud enough.'' He added: "What are the benefits of Independence? There are none.'' Dr. Terceira ended his presentation with two predictions.

"If we decide to go Independent economic activity will be dead in the water for at least six months.

"If we go against Independence, there will be economic frenzy and activity in a positive way and way we have never seen before.'' Shadow Human Affairs Minister Miss Renee Webb pointed out how in 1979 she had studied the international legal status of Bermuda.

At that time she would not have predicted Bermuda in 1995 would be discussing whether to go Independent.

"I assumed Bermuda would be Independent by 1990...I have always supported Independence and I find it hard to believe that in 1995 people are putting out bogeyman tactics by saying international businesses and tourists will stop coming here if we go Independent.

"Quite frankly, we in this Country have to face certain realities. One thing is inevitable -- Bermuda will be Independent one day.'' Miss Webb said she couldn't wait for that day, when she no longer had to sing "God Save The Queen'', a carry a British dependent territories passport.

"I look forward to the day when British no longer have a privileged place in this Country, and I address the Governor General rather than that man who walks around with a hat.'' Miss Webb said it was important to look at the rationale of colonialism -- the domination of one people by another who were perceived as inferior.

Countries like Britain, Germany, France and the Dutch embarked on colonialism, believing they were justified because of the supposed inferiority of others.

"The UK Government have a history of being racist in dealing with their former colonies.'' Miss Webb quoted from an article in The Spectator magazine in which British wartime Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill was portrayed as a racist and white supremacist.

In fact, the very raison d'etre of the British empire was "racial superiority'', said Miss Webb.

"The justification of colonialism was based on racism -- the belief the white European was superior to those in the colonies. We all know that is not true.'' Miss Webb said today Britain found its colonies a burden, rather than a blessing. "Britain is no longer interested in her colonies.'' It's time for Bermuda to shed the shackles of colonialism -- Webb From Page 7 Miss Webb said one of the objectives of the 1945 United Nations charter was to ensure colonies became independent and sought self determination.

"In 1995 we have to ensure Bermudians are educated to recognise that Independence is not a disadvantage but is a right which belongs to us and must be sought.

"We in the PLP are very happy that Government saw fit to bring the Green Paper forward.'' The PLP should take credit for this since it opposed the Commission of Inquiry which Government originally wanted as an Independence fact-finding mechanism.

But the Green Paper was deficient in that it did not address the Constitutional issue of electoral reform to achieve the goal of "one man, one vote of equal value''.

The current electoral system benefited the UBP and was unfair, unjust and undemocratic.

"The issue was not addressed in the Green Paper. We feel this was a deliberate oversight.

"The system was put in place by the UBP to put itself in an advantageous position.'' Miss Webb went on to say the costs of Independence outlined in the Green Paper were "reasonable''.

But she stressed: "I don't believe cost should be a factor in deciding whether Bermuda goes independence.'' Miss Webb said most of the former colonies suffering economically had been in a worse financial position than Bermuda when they went independent.

And she challenged the Government benches: "Name one country which went independent and changed its mind.'' Miss Webb said the Independence debate highlighted the racial divisions still within Bermuda.

It was generally true that white people were against Independence, while blacks supported it.

This division was reflected in the views of the MPs. But it was time for Bermuda to face reality and shed the shackles of colonialism, said Miss Webb, who believed Independence would help unify blacks and whites.

She said it was a "blatant lie'' that Independence and a PLP Government equalled instability.

"Political stability and costs are what determine whether or not international businesses stay here or not -- not whether the PLP government is in place or independent.'' Miss Webb she had had some experience in marketing international business. And she had asked companies whether they were concerned about Independence.

"International companies weren't in any way shape or form worried about Bermuda going independent.'' Miss Webb then turned to metropolitan status, saying the PLP did not support this.

The party was not interested in what happened post-1997 after Hong Kong returned to the Chinese.

"Either we remain a colony or become an independent nation.'' Miss Webb said it was unfortunate the UBP had not taken a position on Independence.

The UBP should show some direction and leadership.

But Miss Webb added she understood the party's dilemma in that it was divided on the issue.

"Unfortunately it has become a racial issue in the UBP.'' Taking a swipe at Miss Webb, Government backbencher the Hon. Ann Cartwright DeCouto said she was more interested in the present rather than "memory lane''.

Mrs. Cartwright DeCouto harked back instead to the period around the 1993 general election.

She told how she had canvassed, and spoken to constituents about what the party proposed to do, as outlined in the Blueprint.

The Blueprint's ink was not long dry when some curious articles appeared in the Press over the Christmas period, said Mrs. Cartwright DeCouto. She noticed pronouncements about a referendum on Independence. "I had never heard of such a proposal. I was caught very much by surprise.'' Mrs. Cartwright DeCouto said the Green Paper was commissioned after the original bill for establishing a Commission of Inquiry died.

It was interesting to look at the Green Paper's terms of reference, and how they accorded with what was actually written.

Mrs. Cartwright DeCouto said she agreed with her colleague Mr. Trevor Moniz that the paper was far from objective. And in her view it was "absolute rubbish''.

The paper was predicated, she added, on a referendum bill, notwithstanding one bill on the issue had already been defeated.

Mrs. Cartwright DeCouto said Government's last position on Independence was outlined in the 1979 White Paper which stated it would be "morally wrong'' to move to Independence without the majority supporting it.

It also warned about Independence imperilling the standard of living if not handled correctly.

"Strong stuff but true stuff in my view.'' She added: "Because the Green Paper was predicated on the referendum bill in my view the committee was precluded from carrying out a proper examination within the ambit of the terms of reference and also existing Government policy in the 1979 White Paper.'' Mrs. Cartwright DeCouto believed the Green Paper was designed to put a "spin on the ball'' of Independence.

After all, a The Royal Gazette survey had shown 59 percent of people opposed Independence at this time.

"Why are we having this initiative? In my view there are absolutely no benefits at this point of time. We heard the leader of the Opposition set out very clearly the PLP's position.

"Yes, they favour Independence after two further general elections. I go back to the question, why Independence at this time?'' Mrs. Cartwright DeCouto said her colleague Mr. Rick Spurling had indicated how Bermuda would lose international business.

Already, players in the international business sector were having to deal with the Independence issue while marketing Bermuda abroad. She said there was a distinct feeling Bermuda had already lost business.

"Nothing is more nervous than money.'' Mrs. Cartwright Decouto said the timing for any Independence initiative was extraordinarily wrong.

"We have just had a Budget where non-Bermudian property owners are going to have to pay capital gains tax, and there has been relaxation of exchange controls under a cloak of secrecy which has not been explained to the common man. One does not need to have a lot of imagination to envisage the flight of money out of here as we have never had before, and anticipate the sale of expensive homes by non-Bermudians who contribute so generously to our economy.'' Mrs. Cartwright DeCouto demanded to know what happened to the submissions to the Green Paper committee by such organisations as the Bank of Bermuda, the Bank of Butterfield, the Bermuda Hotel Association and the Bermuda International Business Association.

"The public at large and members of this House would have been greatly assisted by having copies of these submissions annexed to this document.'' This would have indicated whether the paper's conclusions accurately reflected the submissions.

"I hear there is a great deal of concern among any number of people who made submissions that their concerns were absolutely ignored.'' Mrs. Cartwright DeCouto said she was also given to understand that submissions by civil servants were absent from the appendix of the report. "I think these submissions would have proved most beneficial to members of this House and public at large.'' Mrs. Cartwright DeCouto went on to describe the costs outlined in the report as "pie in the sky'' and "cock-eyed optimism'' Her research had shown, for instance, that it cost Barbados about US$7 million to fund its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including the upkeep of missions abroad.

On the question of nationality, Mrs. Cartwright DeCouto said it was "preposterous'' to suggest Independence would resolve who is or who is not a Bermudian.

Country on a foolish course for no good reason at all, charges Cartwright DeCouto From Page 10 And Mrs. Cartwright DeCouto questioned what impact Independence would have on visa requirements, and what formula would be used for admitting people to Bermuda.

Mrs. Cartright DeCouto pointed to a number of deficiencies in the Green Paper.

The question of passports and travel, and in particular how Independence would affect travel to the United States, had not been properly addressed, she said.

The economy, she claimed, had also received short shrift.

In particular, inadequate consideration had been given to the OECD. Bermuda's five-month-old membership with the organisation, as a dependent of the United Kingdom would lapse with Independence.

Membership was vital to compete with other countries for insurance business, she said. Furthermore, lack of enthusiasm from the business sector should make Bermudians question the desirability of Independence.

Mrs. Cartright DeCouto claimed some of the 7,000 Bermudians, directly or indirectly employed by international companies, were nervous about losing their jobs.

"We are on a foolish course for no good reason at all. It is a division to the country as a whole,'' she said.

Mrs. Cartright DeCouto expressed surprise at the Premier's announcement of a White Paper on Friday. "There has been absolutely no mention of a White Paper,'' she said.

First, the liklihood of losing business to dependent territories such as the Cayman Islands should be addressed.

She claimed that when Barbados announced its Independence, insurance company XL assessed the risk factor and moved to Bermuda.

"The Cayman Islands will be the next beneficiary of exempted companies' assessment of the risk factor,'' she said.

Bermuda should wait until 1997 to find out whether young Bermudians would have the right to live and work in the United Kindom and European Community. And although the UK Government had refused to give a concrete answer, she said, the possibility should not be ruled out. "It would be foolhardy not to wait,'' she said.

Independence was deflecting attention from more pressing issues of escalating crime, drugs and social and racial ills.

"This issue is taking our eye off the ball at the most inappropriate moment,'' she said.

An independent Bermuda, like Singapore, might lose its right of appeal to Privy Council.

Furthermore, Mrs. Cartright DeCouto said she there were two examples of countries that after going independent, then realigned themselves with larger countries.

She said the comment was a reply to an Opposition member's claim that not one country had regret ed going Independent.

"Let's make sure no current events are re-written,'' she said.

Shadow Minister of Transport Mr. Dennis Lister said that by 1995 the concept of Independence should be an accepted reality.

The UBP, he said, were not committed to leading the Island to Independence.

"There is no people momentum behind this issue.'' Instead, Bermudians needed good leadership to steer them towards Independence.

Bermudians, were fearful of the unknown -- not fearful of Independence -- and needed more information.

He accused the UBP of doing a "flip-flop'', having rejected the idea for the past 30 years. But even now, he said, the party was still not pro-independence.

Furthermore, he said, the UBP was conspiring to "kill'' the issue by asking Bermudians to make a decision without sufficient information. "If Government believes the time has come for Independence, Government must bite the bullet and show themselves as a Government ready for independence,'' he said.

Rational and reasonable discourse on the topic was urged by Government Whip Mr. John Barritt .

The way in which the issue was approached was as important as the issue itself, he claimed.

He pointed out a number of deficiencies in the Green Paper but conceded it had originally been created as a discussion paper.

More analysis was required to back claims and more information rather than less should have been included, he said.

The paper's claim that Independence would not affect Bermuda's financial position was "almost a truism'' with little to support it.

International businesses should be carefully listened to, he said, adding that the Cayman Islands was likely to promote itself as a country that was not even discussing Independence. The perception of Bermuda's stability overseas should be an important factor in how the issue was decided, he said.

Mr. Barritt praised a newspaper article that compared the cost of Independence for a number of countries. This, he said, was the type of information people wanted.

Barritt believes majority of voters still confused about implications of Independence From Page 11 In contrast, the Green Paper supplied only the "bare bones'' on issues concerning the shipping register, increased taxes, internal security and dual citizenship.

"People would like to see more flesh,'' he said.

Defending Mr. Woolridge's remarks on Friday, Mr. Barritt said most Bermudians were motivated by their concern for the future well-being of their children and grandchildren.

He added he could not see Independence offering new opportunities for Bermudians.

He admitted that Independence was not on the UBP's agenda at the last election but he pointed out the issue was far down the PLP's "shopping list'' of concerns at the time.

"People want to know how it rapidly accelerated onto the public agenda,'' he said. "It was a non-issue.'' But he admitted that if the Island's interests ever conflicted with those of Britain, Britain's were likely to come first.

"People are complaining about mixed signals and mixed messages,'' he said.

"The majority of voters are perplexed.'' Continued tomorrow