of the Overseas Territories Consultative Council.

But it was not clear if the Premier would be urging Britain to hurry legislation giving Bermudians the option of UK passports.

On Tuesday the UK's Foreign Office revealed it could be at least 2002 before the bill is passed.

A Bermuda Government spokeswoman said yesterday: "There are a number of topics being discussed, whether or not that will be discussed more than fully than others I can not say.'' Opposition Leader Pamela Gordon said the ability to offer Bermudians UK citizenship should be a priority and she said Bermuda was already in line with the UK by amending legislation on homosexuality and capital punishment.

She said: "British citizenship has been in the offing for two years.

"I will find it quite it interesting if the UK finds space to amend the Bermudian constitution before it finds time for the citizenship legislation.

"If they do it becomes a question of what is going on behind closed doors.'' And Ms Gordon blasted the two months silence on the plan to change the Constitution by ending multi-member constituencies.

She said the fact that the House of Assembly was not sitting was no excuse for the Government not consulting the people on Constitutional change. She said: "Paula Cox has had four public meetings with a total of 2,000 people attending on the long term residents issue.'' Ms. Gordon said the PLP had managed only 53 percent of the popular vote at the last election which was no mandate to change the constitution. She said a two-thirds or three-quarters majority was normally needed for Constitutional change. Ms Gordon is to fly to London on October 10 to meet Baroness Scotland to discuss the issue.

The Premier will be accompanied on her trip by Attorney General Dame Lois Browne-Evans and Chief of Staff David Burch.

The meeting follows the inaugural meeting organised last October by the UK's Minister for Overseas Territories Baroness Patricia Scotland.

Premier set to attend London meeting It was set up to allow the Overseas Territories to speak directly to the British Government and with each other.

Premier Smith, along with heads of Government from the other territories, will give presentations on subjects of common interest including immigration, policing, internal security, human rights, accessible justice and sustainable development.