Former Premier Jennifer Smith will be out of her official residence The Laurels by October 25 at the latest, Premier Alex Scott said yesterday.

And Cabinet is actively looking at and expected to approve finding a permanent residence for future premiers.

Mr. Scott said a precedent had been set by the last United Bermuda Party Premier Pamela Gordon that an out-going leader be allowed a grace period of no longer than three months after losing office.

But he said Ms Smith has indicated she will be out of the home in Middle Road, Devonshire, before the three month deadline of October 25. Government will continue to pay her rent, but any additional services such as housekeeping must be met out of Ms Smith's own pocket, he said.

Police had determined there was "appreciable" security risk to Ms Smith leaving The Laurels.

"I met the Premier on Thursday last when she returned to the Island and we had a cordial meeting," Mr. Scott told The Royal Gazette.

"While we were using the precedent of a former Premier (Ms Gordon) as the records of Works and Engineering show, it should be no longer than a three month period (of grace), however the former Premier (Ms Smith) has said she will be out sooner than that. I required an assurance from the security folks that there was no security risk of her returning to a private residence without security and there was no appreciable security threat, the Police assured me."

He said: "The previous arrangement was that the Premier was to be provided with prevented with rent assistance for three months".

When asked if Ms Smith would be paying rent until she left The Laurels, he said he "inclined to believe it is covered" by the tax-payer. He added: "We've had two of these occasions and Cabinet thought was it appropriate that there should be a policy for future premiers, and it appears to be the consensus that a residence be identified for future premiers and they would be required to take up that residence."

He said while a policy had not been drafted, all that had to be decided was what type of residence and when it would become mandatory for the premier to move in. He has previously stated that he has no desire to move out of his home in Warwick, but he said he would not fight with Cabinet if it decided, as expected, that the Premier be forced to stay in the new official residence.

"The policy has not been crafted, but there have been discussions and they (Cabinet) feel that something should be covered by policy. I have expressed a desire to stay in my own residence, but if Cabinet wishes me to take that up I'll not do battle with them on whether I am staying at home or not."

He said The Laurels, a former residence of the Attorney General, had always been identified as temporary home for the Premier. So it appears another home will be found for Mr. Scott.