SHOULD Bermuda be able to move to Independence from Britain without a referendum?

That was one of the subjects that came up during this week's Overseas Territories Consultative Council (OTCC) meeting in London attended by Premier Alex Scott.

And the discussion concluded with Bill Rammell, UK Minister for Overseas Territories, inviting all the territories to submit written opinions on whether a referendum or a General Election should be the mechanism for achieving Independence.

According to a Bermuda Government press release, Mr. Rammell said Britain had no clear policy on the issue.

The release stated: "The Overseas Territories also asked Mr. Rammell for clarification on whether the UK was supportive of the Overseas Territories seeking Independence 'by election or referendum' and whether either method was 'an option or an expectation'.

"Some of the Overseas Territories indicated they were dissatisfied with their current constitutional arrangement with the UK and expressed a strong support for their desire to be granted the 'Bermuda model' of governance.

"Mr. Rammell agreed that the line between partnership and self-determination with the Overseas Territories needed to be critically examined, and said he would seek further advice on how best discussions can be taken. He admitted that the UK had no clear policy on the issue at the moment."

The release concluded: "Mr. Rammell invited the Overseas Territories to submit their written representations on the topic of a referendum versus General Election so that the issue could be discussed at next year's annual OTCC meetings."

A Foreign & Commonwealth Office spokesman said yesterday he did not know whether Mr. Rammell's invitation for written submissions extended only as far as Governments or to other interested parties as well.

Premier Scott, who has urged a public debate on Independence, was travelling back from London yesterday and was unavailable for comment before press time.

The governing Progressive Labour Party's position has long been that a winning General Election vote for a party advocating Independence should suffice.

But the Opposition United Bermuda Party's policy is that a referendum should be the only way to gauge whether the public wanted the country to sever ties with the UK.