Independence is not on the agenda in a review of the UK's relationship with Bermuda by three visiting MPs.

The delegation from the UK Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee said it did not feature as "core issue" in meetings with the public.

Labour MP Andrew Mackinlay said: "We asked about Independence and a lot of people gave us their views, some for and some against, but it hasn't featured as a core issue.

"I think we'd be trespassing into an area which wasn't our business. Anything like that would have to be a matter for the Bermuda people to initiate and they haven't initiated it on our visit, so it wasn't on our radar screens at all."

The issues which were pushed to the forefront however, were conscription to the Bermuda Regiment and the inclusion of homosexuals in the Human Rights Act. MPs Mr. Mackinlay, John Horam and Malcolm Moss said freedom of information - the public's right to know, education, and Bermuda's antiquated corruption laws also featured as concerns in meetings with politicians, unions, business representatives and the public.

The delegation has now returned to the UK, where it will meet with other FAC MPs to write a report into governance of Britain's Overseas Territories. The UK Government will then have to respond to its recommendations.

The visit - the first inquiry of its kind for ten years - centred on how the Foreign and Commonwealth Office is carrying out its responsibilities and the role of the Governor.

Mr. Mackinlay said: "We are here to identify what is Bermuda's exclusive business and to explore some grey areas in between."

Commenting on the issue of freedom of information, he said the UK Government "should not and would not come down with a big edict at all" but that such a principle would have to be introduced as a gradual process.

"The UK didn't have a Freedom of Information Act until a few years ago," he said. "We are all nudging each other up on these areas of standards, which include press freedom and data protection."

However, Mr. Horam, a Conservative MP, said: "This is an issue clearly. It's an issue we've taken evidence on, from all sides of opinion, and we will certainly be commenting on it in our report."

Mr. Moss, a Conservative MP, said: "One of our more interesting visits was to the Ombudsman. In terms of the workload it seems they need more staff. Their role is a very significant one, it's a quantum leap, in terms of the Ombudsman being able to investigate matters put forward to her.

"It's early days and there will be teething problems, but it is a significant change in our view. It's a massive step forward and will get individuals access to information they might not otherwise have access to."

He added: "We can't expect Bermuda to actually move at the pace we're moving. The resources both humanly and financially are probably not available at this time, so in all fairness, any recommendations should include a cautionary approach - one where the standards are set but in the implementation time, people are given a little more leeway in timescale."

On Bermuda's antiquated corruption laws, Mr. Horam said: "We've taken evidence on that and will reflect on that. It is an issue.

"The other issue is education. As an area it's come out as quite important, as in terms of keeping the business the Island has, there's the danger you might almost fail to grasp those opportunities because you don't have people who are trained to take advantage."

The public still has two weeks to put forward any issues or concerns. Anyone who would like to make a submission to the FAC delegation, should email: foraffcom@parliament.uk.