As the bill granting British Citizenship to Bermudians is being studied by a bipartisan parliamentary committee in London, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office is stepping up efforts to make sure that the Overseas Territories can implement the new law.

And junior foreign office Minister Ben Bradshaw revealed during last week's House of Commons debate on the Overseas Territories (OT) bill that his Government is fairly certain that OT citizens will be able to pick up their British passports by May 21.

Asked during last week's House of Commons debate whether the citizens of St. Helena will be British citizens by May 21, 2002 - the island's quincentenary - Mr. Bradshaw said: "We hope so, but that depends to a certain extent on the rapidity of the progress we make in resolving the passports issue.

"My officials are confident that we will do so in time for the Islanders' happy celebration."

The House of Commons passed the bill last week and it needs to get through a parliamentary committee before a third reading in the House and Royal Assent from the Queen.

The third reading is a technicality unless the committee recommends substantial changes to the bill.

Once the bill is given the Royal Assent, up to 200,000 people in the Territories will have the right to full British passports if they want it, and will be able to live and work in the United Kingdom and the European Union.

But the implementation date will depend on the length of time it takes the FCO to work out the logistics of issuing new passports and a myriad of practical considerations.

"There are a million and one things to be sorted out," said Bermuda's Deputy Governor Tim Gurney. But technical officers at the FCO are on the case.

Already a 42 question and answer brochure entitled "What does British citizenship mean for the Overseas Territories" has been sent out by the FCO for distribution to the general population.

The brochure gives answers to questions on UK taxes, joining the British Army and Police, citizenship benefits, voting and other information.

And the FCO is assessing training needs of Immigration personnel, according to Mr. Gurney.