proposals on its rewrite of relations with its Overseas Territories, Premier Pamela Gordon last night told The Royal Gazette .

And Ms Gordon did not rule out a referendum on the issue if the UK proposes major changes to the deal for its remaining possessions.

Ms Gordon said she expected news of the new deal by October, with the full UK White Paper being unveiled in November.

She added: "If I get very shortly a concrete date and that concrete date falls within a reasonable period of time, I believe it would be in the best interests of this Country if it was to form part of the discussion at the General Election.'' But Ms Gordon -- who refused to discuss a time frame for an election -- said that it was a only a possibility at the moment and depended heavily on the UK's timing.

She added that a referendum on the issue, which could include the option of Independence, could also be held.

Ms Gordon said: "The perception across the board that countries like Bermuda which have had a referendum means its not a front-burner issue for us.'' But she explained if major changes were proposed by the UK, then the people would have to be consulted on which direction they wished to go in.

"What I had to articulate in the UK (is) that it could become one -- and if things were to change drastically, then the people will have to have a voice on the things which affect them.

"But at the moment, all we have is speculation and you can't go to the people and ask them to make a decision based on that.

"You have to make an informed decision -- we have to wait and see what the UK Government would like to do and get feedback from the people of this Country on whether they think that's satisfactory.

"They have to have the opportunity to make a decision on Bermuda's destiny as it relates to this issue.

"This could be such a significant shift that the Country might want to vote on it, whether in a referendum or at the polls.

"And it's an unfair move, I believe, to expect the people of this Country to make an informed decision about whether or not they wish to become Independent not knowing what is being offered by the UK.'' The British White Paper on its remaining colonies was originally slated to be unveiled in July.

But the document has suffered a series of delays -- partly because of differences of opinion in the UK Cabinet on reciprocal rights of residence for the mainland British if full UK passports and right of abode were offered to the Territories.

Premier may put UK white paper to vote Ms Gordon said: "The UK realises there are some significant challenges they have to overcome and its not just going to be `do you want citizenship, yes or no?' "Part of the difficulty is that there are some who believe if you want to stay tied to the UK, then there should be the same right of abode in your country -- if Bermudians are going to go to Britain, then British people should be able to come to Bermuda.'' Ms Gordon has already set her face against a reciprocity deal with the UK, on the grounds Bermuda is too small to cope with immigrants on a large scale.

Other Caribbean territories have taken a similiar position.