human rights in the dependent territories was ironic as Britain hadn't even signed up to all the European Human rights conventions.

He said: "It's funny we are invited to do this when we have moved past them in other areas.'' The White Paper also insists that colonies abolish capital and judicial corporal punishment.

Mr. Lister explained that neither had been used recently on the Island and abolishing the death penalty was a plank of PLP policy.

He said: "The government will introduce an bill to abolish judicial capital punishment and we will introduce a bill to abolish the death penalty in Bermuda.'' He also said there were too many prisoners reoffending.

"Bermudians are going to prison in large numbers.'' Mr. Lister said rehabilitation was needed to stop the overflowing prison being such a drain on the community.

The UBP's David Dodwell attacked the ambiguity in the document which said that overseas territories would be given great autonomy.

But it also said they had to accept what Britain decided such as abolishing the death penalty.

He said: "I don't think people want it jammed down their throats. Capital punishment acts as a deterrent if it's kept on the books.'' Mr. Dodwell also attacked the wooliness of some of the White Paper's language which spoke of promoting good government and sound economies without specifying how this would be done.

MPs debate UK White Paper And he doubted whether Bermuda would get its hands on funds promised by the UK as they would consider poorer overseas territories were more deserving.

He finished by urging politicians to publicise the debate about the Island's relationship with Britain so that the population could make an informed contribution.

Progressive Labour Party MP Dale Butler said people were confused about what nationality they would be under the proposed new relationship.

He said: "People have mixed feelings about Britain. They want the passport for world wide travel. But they have a problem with a mother country that has never given us much in terms of finance.

"What will happen if we don't accept the offer that has been made? "Britain has removed corporal punishment but they have a tremendous problem in discipline in education. And I see some young people here in need of a wake up call.'' On the issue of a new partnership with Britain, Mr. Butler said: "Is it a healthy relationship when you don't have a national identity? Is it a healthy relationship when you try to provide a professional service at a reasonable price and you are accused of providing it under tax evasion? "Is it healthy when the choice of a senior government appointment is made overseas?'' Opposition MP Jim Woolridge said the White Paper was a very important document in the history of Bermuda.

He said: "For once the House has decided to work together.'' He also urged the Government to include the Opposition in talks in the Consultative Committee on the document.

He added: "A lot of people are excited about taking advantage of Education in Britain.'' But he attacked the ending of corporal punishment in the education system. He said: "It will cause consternation in schools.'' The PLP's Wayne Perinchief said the relationship between the UK and the island would never be equal until both parties had sovereignty.

He said: "I want the same answers as my constituents ask me. They say why raise this issue of citizenship to the UK before we have citizenship in our own country? "Why, when we are moving to self determination, are we flirting with something that falls short of it? Why are we going in the direction of UK and Europe when our bread and butter comes from the US with US currency and US tourists? "Bermuda has always been a pragmatic country, but we see Britain in all sorts of foreign wars. Why are we being dragged down this tortuous path? Why can't we make our own decisions? "I aspire to Bermudian citizenship before I aspire to any other additional citizenship. I want to be a Bermudian citizen.'' Telecommunications minister Renee Webb said she rejoiced at the chance to abolish capital punishment.

She said: "We recognise it is a barbaric form of behaviour. This is a monumental decision and I am very proud.'' And she challenged the opposition to say what their position was on the plan to abolish capital punishment.

Ms Webb also welcomed the chance to end judicial corporal punishment in Bermuda and said the fact that the impetus for abolition came from the UK was irrelevant.