reduced, The Royal Gazette can reveal.

And UK Foreign Office junior Minister Baroness Patricia Scotland also hinted that Constitutional changes could be on the cards.

The UK Government retains control over defence, foreign affairs and internal security, although some powers over the Police and Bermuda Regiment are delegated to Bermudian authorities.

Baroness Scotland said: "All of the constitutions of the territories contain reservations of some powers to the Governor.'' But she noted: "One difficulty these days is to know where the line should be drawn in respect of the exercise of these powers.

"So many aspects of life these days have taken on an international hue. Where does external begin and end? "There is an increasing extent of grey area here.

"The way in which powers are exercised will depend in part on the way in which the relationship between the Governor and the leader and executive council of the territories work.'' The Foreign Office Minister for the Overseas Territories was speaking earlier this week at a conference on the Overseas Territories at Wilton Park, a UK centre for international studies and an independent executive agency of the Foreign Office.

The ruling Progressive Labour Party has already told the UK that it wants to create single-seat constituencies across parish boundaries, which would drastically slash the number of MPs from the current 40.

The move would need changes to the Bermuda Constitution.

Baroness Scotland said: "We have discussed with the Governments of the territories the need for constitutions to be updated to reflect current needs and, as far as possible, lay foundations that will endure for some years ahead.

"Constitutional change is not a matter to be entered into lightly. There must be full consideration and consultation across political parties and the community as a whole, as well as with Her Majesty's Government.'' But she said: "We stand ready to consider ideas which have been fully discussed locally, that command wide local support and are appropriate, realistic and compatible with our international obligations and consistent with good government.

"I hope that constitutional reviews will promote the highest standards of democratic practice possible.

"This could mean improvements to the composition and operation of legislatures -- I am thinking of the role of nominated members in some Overseas Territories -- and executive councils, proposals to promote more open, transparent and accountable government, including the provision of systems for dealing with complaints on maladministration, which may be necessary.'' And she singled out Bermuda twice in the speech -- praising it for abolishing the death penalty, in line with last year's UK White Paper on relations with its territories, and congratulating the Island for its strong economy.

Baroness Scotland said: "Since the White Paper was launched there has been one notable advance in this area -- the decision by the Parliament of Bermuda to abolish the death penalty and judicial corporal punishment.

GOVERNMENT GVT