The British Foreign Secretary plans to ask the Privy Council this month to make an order changing Bermuda's electoral system, it was confirmed in the House of Commons this week.

Responding to a written question by Ian Davidson, Foreign Office Minister Mike O'Brien told his colleagues that the Foreign Secretary was "minded to recommend to Her Majesty in Council, in January 2003, an Order in Council to amend the Constitution of Bermuda to give legal effect to the Boundaries Commission's recommendations..."

The Boundaries Commission has recommended that the Island adopt an electoral system with 36 constituencies each to return one Member of Parliament. And the British Government has already floated a draft order which would make the changes effective for the next general elections to be called this year. The new arrangements will replace the current 20 dual seat constituencies.