A bid by former Governor Lord Waddington to win full British citizenship for Bermudians and the UK's other dependant territories was knocked back in the House of Lords last night.

Lord Waddington -- in his first speech in the Lords in five years -- said the return of Hong Kong to China meant a golden opportunity for the remaining former colonies.

But Junior Foreign Office Minister Baroness Symons told Lord Waddington: "The Government has no plans at present to grant British citizenship to the remaining dependent territories after Hong Kong returns to China's sovereignty.

"To do so would require reciprocal action in the territories, where we believe the governments are not keen to allow unrestricted access to British citizens.'' Lord Waddington had called for a relaxation of immigration controls for around 160,000 residents of the 14 remaining Dependent Territories.

He said there was "resentment'' in Bermuda over the fact that most black people in the Dependent Territories were subject to immigration control.

Lord Waddington added: "With the imminent hand-over of Hong Kong to China....there is no longer any immigration control justification for these people having a different citizenship from those who belong to the mother country.'' Lord Waddington -- a former Conservative Home Secretary, the UK Cabinet member responsible for enforcing immigration laws -- said: "Britain could win enormous credit and make a great contribution to the maintenance of a harmonious society in Bermuda by righting what is perceived as an obvious wrong and restoring common citizenship.

"By giving Bermudians and others the right to live and work in Britain, you would be giving them a right which, of course, is already afforded to the Falkland Islanders and Gibraltese.'' Lord Waddington, who retired as Governor at the end of April, added that there would not be "hordes'' of Bermudians seeking to move to Britain. But he added: "This step, or simply an easing of work permit restrictions, would allow Bermudians -- young, black Bermudians in particular -- who have business ambitions, to gain experience in a wider environment than Bermuda and fit themselves for senior management.

"Above all, it would cement the mutually advantageous relationships to which I have referred.'' Lord Waddington added that he suspected some within the Foreign Office wanted to sever the ties with Dependant Territories altogether.

But he said: "This is a short-sighted and very mean-minded view.'' He reminded his fellow peers in the UK Upper House that Bermuda had overwhelmingly rejected Independence in 1995.

Premier Pamela Gordon could not be contacted for comment last night. But Deputy Premier Jerome Dill said the speech underlined what a good friend to Bermuda Lord Waddington had been -- and continued to be.

He added: "In terms of the stance taken by the Labour government that doesn't come as a surprise. But any further comment would have to await the Premier as she has plans to meet Labour Prime Minister Mr. Blair.'' GOVERNOR GOV