The highly-anticipated report of the Bermuda Independence Commission is now in the hands of Government and will be released to the public in a month?s time.

Seven months in the making, BIC Chairman Bishop Vernon Lambe placed the weighty and historic document into the hands of Acting Premier Ewart Brown at the Cabinet Office yesterday morning ? with Dr. Brown lavishing praise on the Commissioners for such dedication to their mandate.

?The Commissioners willingly gave of their time and talents in the service of the Government and community,? he said.

?They have produced what is undoubtedly the most authoritative document on the issue of Independence in the history of Bermuda. We are thankful for their efforts and look forward to reviewing the result of their hard work.?

Bishop Lambe meanwhile said it was an ?honour? to have served on a Commission charged with such a significant responsibility while insisting once again that the report leans neither towards Independence nor away from it.

?It was a privilege to have laboured alongside those who represent Bermuda?s finest, dedicated, conscientious and gifted citizens,? he said.

?They are men and women of integrity who have rendered yeoman service to this community. I give thanks to God for having been chosen to give leadership to this Commission. After having set ourselves to this formidable task, with all its challenges and demands, it has resulted in an all-encompassing, unbiased, non-partisan report.?

It is now Government?s intention to have the document printed and to give Cabinet 30 days to review it.

It will then be released to the general public at a joint Press conference with BIC.