It will not be discussed again for at least seven weeks.

The Bill is back with MPs after Independent and Opposition Senators made a key change.

This would ensure the referendum was decided by at least 50 percent of voters on the electoral roll.

Government Senators were dramatically outvoted in their bid to stop the change.

All eyes were on Independent Senator Norma Astwood -- the last to give an opinion.

Her vote was critical to the success of the proposed change by Independent Senator Alf Oughton.

She stunned the Senate when she voted for the amendment after a speech suggesting she would help defeat it.

Sen. Astwood, however, had sought an assurance Government would not go to Britain without a "sizeable'' majority in favour of Independence.

Government Senate Leader the Hon. Gerald Simons was set to give the guarantee.

But he was cut short for running foul of the rules of speaking while Senate was in committee.

He was told his speech was too wide-ranging. Under the proper procedure he should stick to the matter under discussion -- the proposed amendment.

Later in the motion to adjourn debate Sen. Astwood stressed: "It had been my hope and intention that Sen. Simons would have given me his assurance.'' And the Senate Vice-President added: "If I had his assurance, I would certainly have changed my vote.'' Sen. Simons replied: "It was my intention to give assurances that Government would act on any result of the debate so long as that was a fair representation.

"It is important that Government is being seen to be fair to the majority of people.'' Sen. Simons later told The Royal Gazette : "I'm very surprised by what happened.

"I was cut short and not allowed to continue. I thought I was answering Sen.

Astwood's concerns. It did not make sense to me.'' Ironically, it was Sen. Astwood, chairing the committee, who cut Sen. Simons short.

She had received advice from Senate Clerk Mrs. Muriel Roach.

It is thought Mrs. Roach had been warned about Sen Simon's alleged infringement by Senate President the Hon. Albert Jackson.

Now the House of Assembly -- which reconvenes on May 6 -- will have to discuss the amended Bill.

Last night Premier the Hon. Sir John Swan described the change as "undemocratic'' and "impractical''.

"It just wouldn't do justice to the democratic system,'' he said.

Sir John believed the legislation would be given high priority when MPs return.

"I anticipate it will be dealt with in May,'' he said.

If MPs changed the amended Bill, it would return to the Senate.

"If it was amended again, it would go back to the House and then be passed as law,'' he said. "The Bill will not continually get bounced back and forth.'' Sir John repeated Sen. Simons' assurances about how Government would act if there was a small turn-out at a referendum.

Government would not go to Britain in that case, he stressed.

Progressive Labour Party Senate leader Milton Scott, meanwhile, said the change would make the Bill more democratic.

He pointed out, however, his party did not agree with a referendum.

"We want the issue of Independence decided by a general election,'' he added.

The change to the Independence Referendum Act 1994 was put forward by Sen.

Oughton.

It read: "The Question of whether or not Independence is favoured in Bermuda shall not be taken to have been determined by the referendum unless a majority of persons entitled to vote under Section 2 (3) of this Act vote either `yes' or `no'.'' He had withdrawn an earlier amendment after claims it was badly worded.

Sen. Oughton explained he wanted any move to Independence to reflect the wishes of at least 50 percent of those entitled to vote.

Sen. Simons attacked the proposal, however.

"I feel to put such a ruling in place runs contrary to our custom and practice.'' The focus then switched to Sen. Astwood.

In a 30-minute speech, Sen. Astwood called for Parliament to give Bermudians "leadership, direction, and guidance''.

It was a time for Senators and MPs to stop being "wishy washy'', and dragging their heels.

"Don't leave us dangling,'' she said.

Sen. Astwood asked for an assurance that Government would not "cross the Atlantic'' without a "sizeable'' majority in favour of Independence.

And she went on to urge Government: "Get on with the referendum if you are going to do it.''