canvass public opinion on the controversial issue.

At least one public meeting is planned and committee chairman Tourism Minister David Dodwell said interested members of the public will be invited to submit their views in writing.

He added the final report would be tabled as scheduled at the end of November -- allowing time for discussion early in the new Parliamentary session.

The committee was set up after Government triggered a storm of protest earlier this year by giving permission to a firm controlled by ex-Premier Sir John Swan to operate a McDonald's burger restaurant in Bermuda.

The move flew in the face of previous Goverment policy on franchises and contradicted a Bermuda Monetary Authority circular issued only months before Sir John's Grape Bay Ltd got the go-ahead.

Mr. Dodwell said: "The group represents quite a broad range of community views because we are anxious to ensure we are exposed to the full spectrum of opinion on franchises -- not just fast food franchises, but all aspects of franchising.'' The committee includes Finance Minister Grant Gibbons, Environment Minister Pam Gordon, Government MP Irving Pearman, UBP Whip Rick Spurling and Phyllis West-Harron, who organised a protest petition against McDonald's.

Mr. Dodwell added that representatives of several Bermudian organisations would also be asked for their opinions.

These will include the Bermuda Industrial Union, business organisations like the Chamber of Commerce and the Small Business Development Corporation, environmental and conservation groups like the National Trust, Keep Bermuda Beautiful and Save Open Spaces.

The approval of a McDonald's earlier this year sparked a backbench revolt in the United Bermuda Party.

Rebel MPs voted with the Progressive Labour Party to back Ann Cartwright DeCouto's Prohibited Restaurants Act, designed to outlaw restaurants with a foreign flavour introduced after May 10 this year.

The Act was later stalled in the Senate -- but Mrs. Cartwright DeCouto said she would reintroduce it in the House of Assembly. Senate can only block a bill for twelve months.

The UBP rebel five -- Mrs. Cartwright DeCouto, Trevor Moniz, C.V. (Jim) Woolridge, Dr. Clarence Terceira and Dr. David Dyer -- also voted with the PLP in a motion of censure against Premier David Saul for his role in the burger war.

It was the first time a Premier had been censured by the House of Assembly.

SURVEY SUR HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY HOA