Dozens of written submissions to the Boundaries Commission will not be made public by Government House, said Acting Governor Tim Gurney yesterday.

"I do not know whether those submissions were made openly or privately to the Commission," Mr. Gurney said.

"The submissions were made to the Boundaries Commission and were not necessarily intended for publication. If individuals who contributed would like their submissions to be made public they can publish it any where they like."

United Bermuda Party (UBP) MP John Barritt, who sat on the Commission, said he understood the submissions would be tabled with the report in the House of Assembly.

The Commission disbanded when its report on electoral reform was handed to Mr. Gurney.

"It was just my understanding (that the submissions would be tabled) when we discussed it in the Commission," said Mr. Barritt. "Of course we have no control over it. In a way they form part of the report and, if that's the case, then Parliament should have a copy of it as well."

A House of Assembly debate on the report has been scheduled for October 11. Both of the Island's main political parties have encouraged locals to digest the document and give feedback to their political representatives before then.

By law the report must be sent, with a record of the debate, to the Foreign Secretary in London. Britain will then decide what steps should be taken, if any, before the Constitution is changed to alter Bermuda's electoral system.

The report is recommending increasing the number of constituencies to 36 with each one returning one person to the House of Assembly.

Currently there are 20 constituencies each returning two members to the House.