Bermuda moved a step closer to changes in its Constitution which could see the number of MPs cut in half.

Premier Jennifer Smith tabled a report -- intended to be debated when Parliament reconvenes in October -- which proposes replacing the existing constituency system with single seats.

In the "Amendments to the Bermuda Constitution'' paper, Ms Smith outlined plans to set up constituencies of equal size in terms of voters by changing the existing parish boundaries.

But she immediately ran into trouble, when Shadow Legislative Affairs Minister John Barritt blasted the Premier's announcement, challenging her on a flat "no'' to a Parliamentary question in February on constitutional changes this year.

Mr. Barritt said: "This could be a case of misleading the House. I asked back in February what constitutional changes are Bermuda Government planning to implement in the coming year.'' Ms Smith's statement did not make it clear how many of the current 40 seats would be lost but it could be half, leaving one MP per area -- a total of 20.

She said: "The paper recognises the fundamental principle of one person, one vote, with each vote of equal value.

"In addition, the changes that are proposed enhance democracy by reducing the number of seats in the House of Assembly in accordance with the recommendation of a future boundaries commission.'' If agreement was reached in the autumn, then the Premier would seek approval from the UK Government.

"In Government, as in Opposition, we have consistently held the view that the current system of electoral constituencies is undemocratic and unjust.'' In addition, Ms Smith set out plans for the establishment of an ombudsman to scrutinise the workings of Government.

Premier tables report on Constitution changes The move was in line with a recommendation in the recent Civil Service Review.

The bedrock for the changes came in the recent UK White Paper, "Partnership for Progress and Prosperity, Britain and the Overseas Territories''.

It said that overseas territories needed to keep their constitutions up to date and modernise where necessary, stating "suggestions from overseas territory governments for specific proposals for constitutional change will be considered carefully''.

Speaking during the motion of Matters of Privilege, Mr. Barritt said he was "serving notice'' of his intention to complain to Speaker Stanley Lowe that there was "possible commission of contempt by a member of this House of Assembly''.

Mr. Barritt said the UBP was "very surprised'' at the move and that such major constitutional change did not "come out of thin air''.

He added the earliest the new Boundaries Commission could have been called together was June 1998 -- and the latest June 2002. "There's no urgency in that. The Premier would have known the times when the commission would have to meet by. Where's the urgency?'' "It looks as though we're proceeding without benefit of a constitutional conference, which is wrong,'' he continued. "It's warranted on the matters we're talking about. How are we going to decide what numbers of MPs there will be? "What the PLP are proposing is that it be left to the Boundaries Commission.

That's wrong because it abdicates responsibilities and passes it on to the Commission. This is completely out of the blue.'' But Ms Smith countered that she went further than her one word answer, explaining the PLP's long-held position.

She added the production next year of the new Census and the convening of a new Boundaries Commission appeared to go hand in hand.

Later, Ms Smith said "it makes sense'' for the Governor to draw new electoral boundaries "to take advantage'' of the new Census. "I had to move quickly to allow the Boundaries Commission to have the benefit of the Census,'' she added.

"I have not misled the House and in fact we have been very up front. This was not anticipated. We, however, have been preparing for this in anticipation since our party's inception in 1963.'' As for the British Government's position, Ms Smith said "certainly we are aware that the UK Government signalled that they were open'' to any proposed changes.

She added: "In fact they invited us to modernise our constitution. We have started the standardisation of democracy. I think we all recognise that dual-seat constituencies is a top heavy way of proceeding. We were elected on this premise.''