deal of emphasis on the necessity for partnership and dialogue between Britain and Bermuda.

This is to be welcomed: Constant and honest communication between Britain and Bermuda is essential, given the wide range and number of issues which now affect the Island's well-being.

In her address to Parliament, Baroness Scotland paid particular attention to the clean-up of the former US bases, regulation of the financial sector and the question of citizenship.

Baroness Scotland has proved to be an able and balanced advocate. Her statement that Bermuda is unlikely to be included on any list of unfair tax domiciles will be very welcome news as is her promise that Britain will continue to press for the US to clean up the bases.

On the question of citizenship, it was encouraging to see Baroness Scotland promise that the "anomaly'' under which citizens of British Overseas Territories have no rights in the United Kingdom will be rectified.

This newspaper has maintained that the citizenship offer is a great opportunity for Bermudians which should be grasped whole-heartedly, assuming that Bermuda is not required to give up too much in exchange.

So far, there has been little evidence that the Island has had to surrender very much. The abolition of hanging, which Baroness Scotland praised, was long overdue while many of the changes in financial regulation are measures which Bermuda, independent or dependent, with British citizenship or without, would have had to undertake anyway or risk becoming a pariah nation.

It is disappointing, however, that there does not appear to have been much progress on the citizenship question itself. Bermuda has taken many of the steps required in the White Paper which was issued almost one year ago, but on the surface, little progress appears to have been made.

Baroness Scotland has promised that citizenship will be offered.

It may be that the nationality questions are more complex than they seemed when Foreign Secretary Robin Cook first announced that citizenship would be offered.

And it is understandable that drafting the necessary legislation -- and finding a date in the Parliamentary calendar -- is difficult.

Nonetheless, Britain made a promise two years ago and needs to keep its side of the deal.

Baroness Scotland's promise is welcome, but actions speak louder than words and we would encourage the Minister to do all she can to ensure that her Government keeps its promises, just as Bermuda has.