THE submission of the final report of the Bermuda Independence Commission (BIC) is imminent, according to a source close to the Commission.

The BIC, which for several weeks has been working in secrecy to produce the document, will submit it within days to the Premier.

"The members (of the Commission) haven't signed their names yet, but the report is 99 per cent finished," said the source. "It should be completed within a few days of Cup Match."

Meanwhile, the source could not explain what had accounted for the delay in the report ? originally due in late June.

The source also ruled out reports reaching the that the final report would contain a recommendation in favour of a referendum on Independence to coincide with a General Election.

"No, that's off the cards . . . but it has been discussed within the Government. However, I think the consensus remains a General Election (to decide Independence), which has been the traditional position of the Progressive Labour Party."

The source would not list any of the non-binding recommendations the report will contain, but said they would be submitted for the consideration of the Premier and his Cabinet.

After the report has been submitted, however, the timetable is less clear.

"The BIC will prepare a comprehensive report with recommendations on the subject of Independence," Premier Alex Scott told the House of Assembly last December.

"Government will consider their recommendations and establish its view on the way forward and present that to this Honourable House in the form of a Green or Discussion Paper."

It was previously understood that the report would be tabled before Parliament with enough time for it to be taken up by MPs before the summer recess.

However, it now seems unlikely that it will be tabled until November when the House reconvenes, unless the Government calls a special session for it to be debated.