Thirteen of Bermuda?s 17 quangos should retain their status while others should be merged, a report from the Cabinet?s Central Policy Unit has recommended.

The report says the West End Development Company (Wedco) should combine with Bermuda Land Development Company (BLDC), or that both merge with Bermuda Housing Corporation (BHC.

It recommends the Pension Commission join up with Bermuda Monetary Authority (BMA), and that the Passenger Transportation Board (PTB) links up with Marine and Ports Services to become a Government department.

CedarBridge Academy should be moved into the Ministry of Education and the Stonington Beach Hotel Limited (Coco Reef Hotels Resort) should remain under a lease agreement.

The report recommends the Human Rights Commission and the Commission for Unity and Racial Equality continue to function as government departments but with some modifications.

Each year Government spends about 14 percent of its budget (roughly $81 million) on the semi-autonomous bodies.

The first ever review of quangos was conducted to find out if they are meeting Government?s needs and are accountable, and to develop mechanisms for ongoing review, said Premier in the House of Assembly on Friday.

He said individual ministries will outline their responses to the recommendations in the months to come.

?I believe the recommendations contained in the report will will provide Government with more effective controls and also assist the quangos in achieving greater synergy, cost-effectiveness and accountability,? Mr. Scott told MPs.

The report was compiled under the CPU by senior management services officer Ianthia Wade, corporate services officer Marva Jean O?Brien, Alexandra Storie, an information technology officer seconded from accountants KPMG, and Oronde Walker of the CPU.

The other quangos are: Bermuda Hospitals Board, the parish councils, Bermuda College, the golf courses, Bermuda Small Business Development Company, and National Sports Centre.