date when he rises in the House of Assembly this morning.

And all signs point to August 15 as the most likely date for Bermudians to decide whether to break colonial ties with Britain which have lasted nearly 400 years.

While August 10 is also a possibility, August 15 is considered the earliest date after Cup Match that the vote could be held, while still leaving at least a week for holiday festivities that begin on August 2 and 3 to subside.

Although many members of the United Bermuda Party caucus and the business community have been pushing for a July referendum, sources say the Premier wants more time to educate the Bermudian public about Independence while countering Progressive Labour Party calls for a referendum boycott.

To go any later than August 15 would risk increasing conflicts with Bermudian travel plans and overseas students returning to school, while further annoying business leaders and backbenchers who want the vote held as soon as possible.

Sir John would not comment yesterday on the date, which he had not shared with his UBP caucus. But he did say he would announce it in the House of Assembly this morning.

Bermudians traditionally go to the polls on Tuesdays or Thursdays, and that is not expected to change.

Also in the House today, Deputy Premier the Hon. Irving Pearman will table the long-awaited Government position papers on issues surrounding Independence.

The 39-page document, entitled "A Compendium of Papers Outlining Positions the Government Would Take Should the People of Bermuda Vote in Favour of Independence,'' is divided into sections on citizenship, appointment of public officers, government and administration, and external affairs, sources said yesterday. There are just over 40 positions in all.

"I think that the position papers should form a catalyst for the dynamics that are basically necessary for discussions to take place,'' that would help Bermudians determine "whether they should vote for or against Independence,'' Sir John said. Government should be "fair and reasonable in apportioning the time'' necessary to digest them, he said.

Once the date is announced, campaigns urging Bermudians to vote yes, vote no, and to abstain are all expected to gather steam.

Community activist Mr. Sanders Frith Brown yesterday announced plans for a Committee Against Independence for Bermuda, to counter the Committee for the Independence of Bermuda of Mr. Walton Brown.

The Premier and several Cabinet Ministers are expected to campaign actively in favour of Independence, while Education Minister the Hon. Clarence Terceira said he will campaign against it. He did not feel the anti-Independence forces should grow "complacent'' in the face of the boycott call from the leadership of the pro-Independence PLP.

Under the terms of the referendum act, a mandate to negotiate Independence from Britain requires not only a majority of votes cast in favour of Independence, but for 40 percent of all eligible voters to vote yes. With about 35,000 voters on the roll, 14,000 Bermudian votes in favour of Independence is considered a tall order, even without a boycott call.

The Labour Relations Amendment Act 1995 -- which declares civilian Airport workers an essential service and bans them from striking -- is the only piece of legislation expected to be debated by MPs today.

The PLP supports the bill, but debate is expected anyway.

"In the main we understand and support the need to see the services continuing at the Airport and therefore we understand the essential service nature of the legislation,'' said Shadow Labour and Home Affairs Minister Mr.

Alex Scott.

"However, it may provide an opportunity for us to express our concern about the rate of Bermudianisation at the Airport,'' he said. "It's another thing to talk about essential service if it's being done to the exclusion of Bermudians.''