in a vote on an Independence referendum.

But Government Whip Mr. John Barritt warned that Mrs. Ann Cartwright DeCouto would leave herself open for "disciplinary action'' if she did not toe the party line.

"Very mature and careful thought must be given to this, but at the moment I still feel there is no better test than the national interest,'' said Mrs.

Cartwright DeCouto, who resigned her Delegated Affairs portfolio over Government's plan for a Commission of Inquiry and referendum on Independence.

"I shall have to give very careful consideration to the national interest.'' With only a 21-18 majority in the House of Assembly, every vote is critical to the United Bermuda Party Government. Retired House Clerk Mr. John Gilbert has said a defeat on the referendum legislation would be a vote of non-confidence in the Government that would lead to a general election.

The Progressive Labour Party is opposed to the referendum. Leader Mr.

Frederick Wade has said a Cabinet paper should be prepared and the issue decided in a general election.

At a caucus meeting on Thursday night, the UBP approved plans for the Commission of Inquiry and referendum. Premier the Hon. Sir John Swan is to make an announcement when the House resumes next Friday.

The Commission of Inquiry would not require legislation, but a three-line whip would be in place for any vote on the referendum, Mr. Barritt said yesterday.

"A Government measure that has been approved by Cabinet and approved by caucus is expected to receive the support by way of a vote from every elected member,'' Mr. Barritt said. "That is party politics.'' Those who fail to vote in favour of the Government measure "leave themselves open to disciplinary action''.

Mrs. Cartwright DeCouto, who did not attend the caucus meeting, said she was not surprised by the decision taken but felt it was "very shortsighted and disappointing''.

The argument that the decision represented fact finding and democracy rather than a move toward Independence was "illogical,'' she said.

The issue came "out of left field'' when there was already too much on Government's plate, and it would heighten economic uncertainty, she said.

Meanwhile, caucus sources said it was agreed at the meeting that all voters who are eligible to vote in a general election will be eligible to vote in the referendum.

Further, a vote of more than 50 percent in favour of Independence would be enough to bind the Government of the day to take action, sources said. And the question would be kept short and simple, along the lines of: "Are you in favour of sovereign Independence for Bermuda?'' Meanwhile, Premier the Hon. Sir John Swan said after Thursday's caucus meeting that he had not decided who would sit on the Commission of Inquiry that would probe the pros and cons of both Independence and options open to Bermuda as a dependent territory.

But UBP sources said that former Premier the Hon. Sir John Sharpe, whose name had been mentioned earlier, appeared less likely to head the Commission. He was seen as too closely linked with the UBP to provide the non-partisan stewardship of the Commission that Government wanted.