Three Independent Senators refused to be drawn on which way they would vote next Wednesday on a controversial Draft Resolution that would give the Premier an almost 80 percent pay rise.

Senate President Alf Oughton said yesterday that according to the Ministers and Members of the Legislature (Salaries and Pensions) Act 1975, both the House of Assembly and the Senate have to agree for the Resolution to be effective.

If Sen. Oughton and two other Independent Senators ? Sen. Walwyn Hughes and Sen. Carol Ann Bassett ? teamed up with three Opposition Senators they could defeat the Government Resolution by six votes to five.

Sen. Oughton also promised a meaningful discussion from the three Independent Senators, as it would not be split down political lines.

But like the two other Independents Sen. Oughton refused to say which way he would vote.

Sen. Hughes said the press would have to come next week to find out, while Sen. Bassett remained reticent.

"I do know but I am not going to tell you," she said.

Government Senator Raymond Tannock introduced the Resolution in the Senate on Wednesday and said he would move it to be approved at the next day of meeting.

The Resolution recommended that the highest pay increase ?a 79 percent rise from $111,714 to $200,000 ? will go straight to Premier Alex Scott.

The lowest increase would go to Senators, whose $26,287 per year salary will only be increased by the cost of inflation, should the Motion be approved.

In the House of Assembly on Friday voting was split down party lines, with 16 Progressive Labour Party MPs voting for it and 13 United Bermuda Party MPs voting against it.