The United Bermuda Party has decided against boycotting consultation meetings with Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials next week over constitutional reform.

But UBP leader Pamela Gordon said the Opposition was still uncertain about the agenda and format of the meetings.

Deputy Governor Tim Gurney said last night that all sessions will be open to Government and Opposition and anyone else interested -- unless people ask to make their presentations in private.

Ms Gordon said every UBP MP will go to Government House on Monday at the beginning of the consultation session, which will be open to the Press.

A Foreign Office team, including FCO foreign territories head John White, and FCO deputy legal advisor Ian Hendry, will hear submissions for what is expected to be a maximum of four days.

The FCO officials will have to satisfy themselves that there has been adequate public consultation in Bermuda over the planned changes.

They will then make a recommendation to the Privy Council in London to either accept or reject the plans.

FCO-consult open to public ensure they reach Government House by April 3.

The UBP has called for a constitutional conference and referendum over Government plans to redraw constituency boundaries and reduce the number of MPs from 40 to an unspecified number no less than 20.

Mr. Gurney told The Royal Gazette last night: "The Foreign Office intention is to make the process as inclusive as possible.'' PLP public relations officer Corey Butterfield said yesterday that he did not expect anything concrete to emerge from the consultations next week.

Premier Jennifer Smith and the PLP had held public meetings and sent submissions to the FCO last year.

He told ZBM News that it would be "stretching it'' if the UBP was to describe the consultations as a mini-constitutional conference.

Mr. Gurney said last night there was no timetable for the Privy Council making a decision -- which would be through an Order in Council.