A Commission of Enquiry is to be set up into the debacle surrounding the postponed vote on Independence, the Governor announced yesterday.

On August 15, the vote was originally postponed indefinitely as Hurricane Felix struck the Island.

It was then put off for 24 hours after the polling stations opened and then shut, as they had to do if the vote was to be postponed.

Yesterday Government House issued a statement confirming that Lord Waddington would be instituting a Commission of Enquiry, at the request of the Premier, the Hon. David Saul.

Its terms of reference will be: "To enquire into the circumstances and the events which occurred on Tuesday, 15 August, which led to the postponement of the Referendum on Independence to August 16 and to make any recommendations arising therefrom.'' The announcement was warmly greeted by the Leader of the Opposition Progressive Labour Party, Mr. Frederick Wade, who called for an enquiry at the beginning of the month.

"I am pleased that the Premier has accepted my recommendation to set up the enquiry, however I would like to have seen it sanctioned by Parliament. That may have given it more weight.

"Parliament does not have to sanction it, but I would still like to see a motion of support put forward when the House reconvenes.'' Mr. Wade said he had hoped the terms of reference would cover the role of the Emergency Measures Organisation.

"Their role needs to be looked at,'' said Mr. Wade. "They made announcements which had an impact because they told people to stay at home which has caused problems with the union and employers over pay.'' Premier the Hon. David Saul, asked Lord Waddington to instigate a Commission of Enquiry and it will be the Governor who appoints its members and chairman.

He will also decide a date by which the Commission has to report.

Last night, Dr. Saul said that in listening to people it had become clear that there was a "need to clear the air''.

"The innuendo and the suspicion that is there is bothersome,'' he said. "I asked for the Commission to be set up in order to clear the air.

"I think I know most of the facts, if not all of the facts surrounding the case and I think people will be grateful for a decision that will put paid to any innuendo.''