Britain's new deal for its remaining colonies will be unveiled next month, UK Foreign Secretary Robin Cook revealed yesterday.

And UK Parliamentary insiders confirmed full citizenship for the less-than-200,000 people of the handful of British outposts was on the cards.

But the UK may still insist on human rights concessions in return -- meaning hanging and flogging would have to come off Bermuda's statute books.

UK political insiders, however, said a citizenship deal would not be a two-way street allowing unrestricted access to Bermuda by UK residents -- an early fear.

One said: "There still may be some to-ing and fro-ing over the mechanics of citizenship.

"But I'm sure the opportunity, at the end of the day, will still be there to have full citizenship -- if people want it.'' Premier Jennifer Smith did not return a call from The Royal Gazette yesterday.

But Opposition Leader Pamela Gordon -- whose UBP Government carried out negotiations until her party lost power in November -- said the UK had wanted capital and corporal punishment abolished in the Overseas Territories in line with UK law and its international treaty obligations.

Ms Gordon said: "They were very adamant on this because of their international relationships and treaties.

"The UK said all the Territories must be in sync with the UK -- their view is that any Country which wishes to remain with them must conform to their requirements.'' No-one has been hanged in Bermuda for more than 30 years -- death sentences since have all been commuted by the Governor of the day.

And the use of the birch on criminals in Bermuda has been out of favour for even longer.

A referendum on hanging some years ago backed its retention -- although most PLP MPs argued against its use.

And it is likely if Bermuda followed the UK model of a free vote in the Lower House, it would be abolished.

Britain also wants to see the repeal of laws banning gay sex -- not a problem for Bermuda since 1994, but which does affect Caribbean Overseas Territories.

Mr. Cook told MPs in the House of Commons that the long-awaited White Paper on relations between the UK and its Overseas Territories would be tabled in the week beginning March 15.

The news ended speculation on the release of the White Paper, expected to have been ready for publication last year.

Deputy Governor Tim Gurney said he could not comment on what was likely to be contained in the White Paper -- the first major look at the UK's relations with its colonies in more than a decade.

But he added: "I'm looking forward to it -- people have been waiting for this for a long time.

"And it will be good to get rid of any uncertainty people might have.'' But Mr. Gurney said: "It's generally agreed there will be nothing in it for Bermuda to be uncertain about.

"I have said I would be surprised if there was anything in it the Island wouldn't welcome and I'm still of that view.''