Campaigners have hailed a British Government report recommending a move away from conscription to the Regiment as "historic and very encouraging".

MPs from the UK's Foreign Affairs Committee met representatives from Bermudians Against the Draft (B.A.D), the Regiment and the Bermuda Government while researching their report into the governance of the Overseas Territories.

Outlining their resulting recommendations yesterday, they said: "The Government should encourage the Bermuda Government to move away from conscription and towards the Bermuda Regiment becoming a more professional organisation, with voluntary and paid elements.

"We conclude that this could make serving in the Regiment more attractive, giving it the staffing resources required to extend into maritime duties."

B.A.D's was one of five anti-conscription submissions to the British MPs. Campaigners claimed that conscripts suffer physical and verbal abuse, racism, low rates of pay and the use of shackling and incarceration as a penalty.

The allegations of ill-treatment have been strongly denied by Bermuda Regiment Commanding Officer William White.

During his meeting with the MPs in March, B.A.D founder Larry Marshall Sr. told them that Bermudian men should have the same rights as those in the UK where conscription was abolished in the aftermath of the Second World War.

Bermuda is the only overseas territory where men are made to do military service. Conscripts are selected by a random ballot of males aged 18 to 33 who must then serve for three years and two months.

Responding to the report's recommendations yesterday, Mr. Marshall said: "The three British MPs who visited the island in March were objective, listened to both sides, and, having done so, came to the conclusion that conscription should be done away with. This should go a long way in vindicating the courageous young men of B.A.D. who have often been vilified and branded as rebels and radicals."

He added: "From a historical perspective this is the first time that the British have actually sided with the anti-conscription movement in Bermuda since conscription began in 1965, or at least are being asked to do so by a committee specifically set up to look into such affairs.

"The magnitude of the committee's conclusion and the consequent recommendations cannot be over emphasised. This is a major step forward for the cause and definitely gives us the high ground going forward."

Jamel Hardtman from B.A.D said: "After reading the Premier's comment it amazes me that the politicians in Britain can be more understanding and sensitive to the issue than the Government in Bermuda."

Bermudians Against the Draft launched a battle against conscription in the Supreme Court earlier this year, but the Chief Justice ruled against outlawing the policy. They intend to press their case further in the Court of Appeal in November.

Lt. Col. White told this newspaper after meeting the MPs in March that there had been "full and frank discussions" about the current and future roles of the Regiment, including alternative methods of recruitment.

In their report, the British MPs further revealed: "During our visit the Premier told us that the Bermuda Government was proposing to introduce a broader concept of community service for both sexes, which might include the option of service in the Bermuda Regiment.

"The Foreign and Commonwealth Office also told us that Bermuda was considering how more male and female volunteers might be attracted to serve in the Regiment.

"Bermuda's Premier also suggested that the Regiment might move into maritime duties. However, the Regiment's Commanding Officer told us significant infrastructure and staffing resources would be needed if the Regiment was to begin patrols."

The MPs said that according to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) – which has responsibility for the Overseas Territories – the Government of Bermuda has delegated responsibility for the Regiment and there are no grounds for the Governor to intervene in recruitment policy.

The FCO further stated that there is cross-party political support in Bermuda for conscription, that a 2004 survey showed it is favoured by a majority of members of the public, and that there may be difficulties attracting more full-time staff to the Regiment when the private sector can offer more attractive awards.

Of the abuse allegations, the FCO told the British MPs: "'The Commanding Officer of the Regiment is satisfied that abuse does not occur, and has assured us that that any report of abuse would be investigated vigorously and, if substantiated, dealt with appropriately. The Regiment is subject to periodic, independent, assessment by an officer from the Defence Adviser's staff at the British Embassy in Washington."

Despite the remarks of the FCO, not all Bermuda's politicians are in favour of conscription. According to Mr. Marshall, Michael Dunkley and Louise Jackson of the United Bermuda Party expressed opposition to it during the visit from the British delegation.

And former PLP minister Reneé Webb told this newspaper yesterday: "I strongly agree that conscription to the Bermuda Regiment be done away with - I lobbied for the same in the past."