More open government and freedom of the press are crucial to the future development of the UK's colonies, a top British Foreign Office official said at the weekend.

Baroness Symons, junior Foreign Office Minister in charge of the UK Overseas Territories, said: "Rights of access to information are essential to the ability of people to engage in political activity effectively.

"Without it, there will be low expectations, a lack of participation in and unrepresentative government.'' Baroness Symons added she hoped the Territories' governments would encourage public attendance and reporting on the work of the Legislatures.

And she said the UK government wanted to see "high standards of accountability in public life and a willingness to explain decisions and policies to the electorate.'' Baroness Symons added "freedom of speech and information'' were also part of modernisation of government.

She said: "Here I include a free and effective media. If people are to be able to make informed decisions, they must be able to obtain the facts on which to base them.

"The freedom to debate and hold different opinions is a key factor in creating and maintaining democratic and free societies.'' Baroness Symons was speaking at a meeting of the Royal Commonwealth Society in London on Friday.

She told delegates: "Critical to the future welfare and development of the Territories are good, modern, policies and structures of government.

"There must be a balance of obligations and expectations and both should be clearly and explicitly set out.

"Our Territories generally have a fair record, but in some cases there is room for improvement and we wish to see all the Territories observe high standards.'' Baroness Symons added that "a fair and inclusive'' electoral process was also necessary, while once elected, governments "put into practice the concept of collective responsibility for government policy and decisions and that those who hold elected office maintain the highest standards of probity.'' Baroness Symons said the Civil Services of the Territories could also benefit from improvements in "effectiveness, efficiency, accountability and impartiality,'' She added: "It's important that the delivery of services is based on publicised standards and performance targets, that they are customer focussed and that they are delivered by well-trained staff.'' Open govt., press freedom The Bermuda Government has already announced UK experts will be invited to the Island to help modernise the Civil Service.

And Baroness Symons warned residents of the Territories "have a right to expect that the law will protect them from discrimination on the grounds of belief, race, colour, gender, disability or sexual orientation.'' She said: "In general, they have a well-deserved reputation of their observance of basic human rights.'' But she added: "Capital punishment for murder is still in force in one Territory -- Bermuda -- judicial corporal punishment is still available as a sentence in two Territories, Bermuda and the British Virgin Isles.'' And Baroness Symons said: "It is our hope that the Governments of the relevant Overseas Territories will take early action to remove these anomalies.'' She added: "Good policing, customs work and improvements to prison services in the Territories are an integral part of making this work.

"Policing by consent is critical in small societies and the Police forces must be trained properly.'' Baroness Symons admitted: "All this adds up to a pretty formidable checklist.'' But she said: "Good government is not negotiable. It is an essential part of being a British Overseas Territory.

"And, as we move towards the new millennium, we shall make sure that Overseas Territories Governments are equipped for it.'' POLITICS PTL