Bermuda's three property quangos could be split into two units covering commercial and residential units, says Works and Engineering and Housing Minister David Burch.

He said Government was still looking at how to formally bring together the Bermuda Housing Corporation, the West End Development Corporation and the Bermuda Land Development Company.

In December, former Bermuda Regiment Quartermaster Glenn Brangman was appointed as quango consultant to oversee the restructuring within 18 months in a bid to cut down on waste and duplication.

Sen. Burch said: "We are marching down the road to a marriage but I am not at the stage prepared to decide whether it is going to be one or two. But I know it ain't going to be three.

"I think it will come down to a question of management.

"If it was going to be one organisation I would have to have someone in mind, or someone would offer themselves up, as being the type of dynamic personality that could in fact make one work.

"I don't see that person on the horizon at all.

"What it may come down to is one organisation responsible for residential and the other organisation be responsible for commercial ? across the board."

But he said the benefits of working towards a merger had already paid off with swapping of know-how. For example BLDC have project managers with architectural skills, said Sen. Burch.

"They are able to take plans to a stage of almost approval without having to contract that sort of stuff out which is essentially what Wedco and BLDC do.

"We have been able to effect some economies. It provides us with greater flexibility. If we have an idea we can get it to a stage without spending money."

He said quangos were really something which should be set up for a defined achievable aim rather than exist indefinitely.

"At this stage of the game I think they are so far gone they just need to be reined in."

But he said the appointment of one chairman for all three had helped give Government a greater degree of control to help coordination.