Government and Opposition were yesterday staying tight-lipped over calls for a Referendum on any offer of full UK status for Bermudians.

Premier Pamela Gordon said she would not rule out a Referendum on the issue.

But she said no final decisions would be made until the UK Government revealed its hand, likely to be laid on the table towards the end of this year.

Ms Gordon said: "What may be offered may well be totally acceptable to the people of Bermuda or totally unacceptable. We will determine a mechanism then.'' She added her position had been made clear from the start of negotiations on a new deal for the now-called Overseas Territories -- that nothing would be agreed unless it had the backing of the people of Bermuda.

Ms Gordon added: "Usually, the reaction of the community is such we know which way is the way to go.'' But she insisted: "Until we know what the UK White Paper is offering, no decisions will be made on what way to go.'' She was speaking after National Liberal Party leader Charles Jeffers called for a Referendum.

But Ms Gordon blasted some of the fears raised by Mr. Jeffers -- especially the imposition of UK income tax on Bermudians -- as inaccurate and groundless.'' Ms. Gordon said: "If he had bothered to read our Constitution, he would have seen there is no provision which allows for income tax.

"We are governed by our Constitution -- to receive UK citizenship will not make our Country's Constitution void.'' Progressive Labour Party leader Jennifer Smith could not be contacted for comment yesterday.

Deputy Leader Eugene Cox also declined to say which way the Opposition would jump, assuming an offer of full UK passports, and refused to comment on whether a Referendum would be considered.

But he added: "Our position has always been that we want full and frank discussion with the people of Bermuda before any changes to our Constitutional status are made.'' Mr. Cox said no-one had yet seen a White Paper being prepared for the UK Parliament, likely to be submitted to Westminster in the next session, which starts in October.

He added that the PLP had concerns over reciprocal arrangements for what would be mainland UK passport holders if Bermuda was given full access to Britain.

Reciprocal rights for existing British subjects, however, is understood to have already been dismissed by the UK Foreign Office.

And Mr. Cox added the PLP would also want to see in detail what the UK would want in terms of financial regulation -- one of the issues raised in a keynote speech by Foreign Secretary Robin Cook earlier this year.

Mr. Cox said: "It certainly would be premature for us as a responsible party to be taking a position on what we are going to do tomorrow without having the benefit of the White Paper.

"No format is going to be considered at this time until we have all these other things in place.'' IMMIGRATION IMM