A top United Bermuda Party backbencher has disagreed with a statement by the Finance Minister that it was doubtful Independence talk was hurting Bermuda's attractiveness as a place for international business.

The Hon. Ann Cartwright DeCouto said many businesses were putting their plans to locate in Bermuda on hold.

She was responding to a recent statement by Finance Minister the Hon. David Saul that it was doubtful Independence talk was hurting the Island's desirability as a place for large insurance firms to locate.

"I have read what the Minister said very carefully and I do not agree with it,'' said Mrs. Cartwright DeCouto, who resigned her Cabinet post to protest Government's Independence initiative.

"Lost opportunities are very difficult to gauge, but from international and local points of view, from my contacts with people, a great many things are being put on hold that are going to have a financial impact on ordinary people in this Country and the economy as a whole.

"It's very hard to gauge but it is definitely happening.'' Mrs. Cartwright DeCouto's assertion was not wholly backed by two top businessmen contacted by The Royal Gazette for comment on Dr. Saul's statement.

Mr. Adolf Luttke and Mr. Richard Butterfield said there was no way to determine what was going on in the minds of international businessmen considering Bermuda as a place to locate.

They were asked for comment following Finance Minister the Hon. David Saul's statement on Monday that it was doubtful But they were definite that an Independence debate would promote uncertainty if it went on too long.

"Business does not like uncertainty,'' said Mr. Butterfield, a partner with Cooper and Lines and a long-time member of the Bermuda International Business Association.

"So I think it will be good to clear away the uncertainty as promptly as we conveniently can and to have the question answered.'' Mr. Luttke, chairman of the International Companies Division of the Chamber of Commerce, said money is very sensitive and needs economic and political stability.

"There is some uneasiness (among the international business community),'' he said. "But to what extent that uneasiness is being affected by the discussion of Independence is difficult to determine. I think it is to a certain degree but not to the point Bermuda needs to worry.'' Mr. Luttke said there were a lot of rumours about Independence hurting international business prospects.

"There is some uneasiness,'' he said.

But on the surface, the two or three companies said to have cancelled plans for Bermuda appeared to be offset by three large catastrophe insurers Dr. Saul said were planning to locate here.

Mr. Luttke noted that more than 300 companies had registered in Bermuda during the first quarter of the year -- a "staggering number''.

Mr. Butterfield said it was safe to say that international businesses known to Bermuda are not affected by the Independence initiative.

There was a possibility some businesses might be considering going to another location, but he doubted they were the quality businesses Bermuda wanted.

Mr. Butterfield said he didn't think companies already here would consider Bermuda a less desirable jurisdiction if it went Independent. Bermuda, he said, had stable political institutions, a good court system and civil order.

"I don't think the prospect of Bermuda going independent would disturb people who already know us, but those who don't and who are thinking of coming here might put things on hold.

"I think this Island will be the same although it may have financial problems (with Independence),'' he said.