An inquiry into good governance of the British Overseas Territories will reach Bermuda's shores in March.

Andrew MacKinlay, a Government backbencher who sits on the Foreign Affairs Committee (FAC) yesterday, confirmed the group would be visiting Bermuda as part of an audit of the 14 Territories.

The audit will look at standards of good governance, transparency and accountability, the role of Governors and regulation of the financial sector and the visit will give the Committee a chance to meet with Government and other entities.

Before they visit, the public can submit evidence to the inquiry, although today, January 31, 2008, is the last day these can be entered on the website:www.parliament.uk/parliamentary_committees/foreign_affairs_committee.cfm

There have been at least five submissions listed on the Committee's website calling for the end of conscription and one submission from Sonia Grant, who ran in the Hamilton Mayor election, questioning the results.

Today The Royal Gazette has also made the Committee aware of its Right To Know campaign, which calls for increased transparency within government and publicly funded organisations.

Mr. MacKinlay, confirming the visit, said that he hoped the visit would be in early March, but controversial EU legislation could delay it.

Questions to Premier Ewart Brown's Press Secretary, Glenn Jones, asking if the Premier welcomed the visit and if there were particular issues he hoped to address while the Committee was on the Island, were met with this response: "That information and other comment on this issue should come from the Queen's representatives at Government House."

The FAC's function is to examine the expenditure, administration and policy of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) which includes the diplomatic service.

Other bodies associated with the Foreign Office include the British Council and the BBC World Service.

It is appointed by the House of Commons and comprises 14 back bench Members of Parliament from Government and Opposition parties, and is calculated to reflect the membership of the House as a whole.

Witnesses in a typical inquiry include ministers and officials from the FCO and a range of other witnesses depending on the nature of the inquiry.

When a FAC inquiry is completed, a report, which includes conclusions and recommendations, is made to the House of Commons and published in hard copy and on its website.

The British Government then responds to each of the report's conclusions and recommendations within two months of the publication.

Deputy Governor Mark Capes said he thought the visit showed Bermuda was held in high regard by the FAC.

He said: "It obviously makes sense, as Bermuda is one of the most populous and wealthiest of the Overseas Territories. It's quite clear that they want to see the success story."

Kim Swan, Leader of the Opposition, said the United Bermuda Party welcomed the visit and needed only to expand on the vision set forward in their election platform. He said: "We would certainly welcome that. We would prepare a submission and it would certainly tie into our platform which included items about good governance."