a referendum, The Royal Gazette has learned.

United Bermuda Party caucus members remained divided last night on whether Bermuda should seek Independence. But they emerged from a three-hour meeting mainly united on seeking Bermudians' views on the issue.

The date of the referendum is still not determined. But legislation to permit the vote is expected to be tabled when the House of Assembly resumes on February 4.

The Hon. Sir John and most of Cabinet favours the Commission of Inquiry and referendum route, though some remain strongly opposed.

Government was rocked this week by two Cabinet resignations in two days. The Hon. Ann Cartwright DeCouto delivered her "wake-up call'' on Wednesday, quitting Cabinet to protest plans for the Independence referendum.

There were too many more pressing issues on Government's plate, she said.

A day earlier, Management and Technology Minister Michael Winfield resigned his post.

Sen. Winfield, a strong proponent of Independence, cited business and family reasons for his departure.

Opponents to an Independence referendum include Education Minister the Hon.

Clarence Terceira and Tourism Minister the Hon. C.V. (Jim) Woolridge, sources said. Dr. Terceira looked grim last night when he left the caucus meeting ahead of most of his colleagues, but no further resignations were considered imminent.

After last night's meeting, caucus chairman Mr. John Barritt said the debate was "not acrimonious, but productive.

"People fairly articulated their positions and fairly addressed the issues of concern.'' Mr. Barritt would not say what was decided, but sources said the caucus agreed to proceed with a Commission of Inquiry and referendum.

Sir John has named Sen. Grant Gibbons to succeed Sen. Winfield and have special responsibility for the Base closures. For now, Deputy Premier the Hon.

Irving Pearman is handling the Ministry of Delegated Affairs.

As of last night, Sir John had still not accepted Mrs. Cartwright DeCouto's resignation, choosing to "leave the door open'' for her possible return.

"I recognise that these types of issues are very emotive and can be divisive,'' Sir John said yesterday. "I just hope the consequences do not cause long-term damage to the party or to the Country.

"Government's job is to govern,'' the Premier said. "The whole object of a Government is not to maintain the status quo and never to look at anything that might add to something or take something away.'' Government had "a moral obligation'' to seek public input on the Independence question, Sir John said.

Ever since the Hon. Sir David Gibbons presented Parliament with a White Paper on Independence as Premier in 1979, Government had promised that Bermudians would decide on Independence in a referendum, not a general election, Sir John said.

"That position has held,'' he said. "It's been the Government policy all along.

"We recognise that just a referendum by itself is not sufficient. What you need is a Commission that looks at all the pros and cons of the issue so that the public can best be informed.'' Before Sir David presented his 1979 White Paper, former Premier the Hon. Sir John Sharpe presented Parliament with a Discussion Paper on Independence in 1977. Sir John also headed a committee that prepared an Independence report for the UBP in 1987.

There has never been a Commission of Inquiry on Independence. Sir John Sharpe is considered likely to head that Commission as well.

Commissions of Inquiry are wide-ranging probes under the Commission of Inquiry Act 1935.

A Commission of Inquiry is seen as more open and independent than a Cabinet report, and public input would be part of its terms of reference. It would also take the Independence issue away from Government Ministers and public servants already burdened with the Base closures and other issues.

Only one referendum has been held in Bermuda. In 1990, nearly 80 percent of Bermudians who voted said they favoured retention of the death penalty.

The legislation that allowed that vote could be virtually recycled, with the question on the ballot the only change required, one source told The Royal Gazette .

The 1990 death penalty referendum cost Government about $50,000. Last night was the first time the Premier met with his caucus since before Christmas. Sir John was off the Island when the last caucus meeting was held.

Ministers received a stern warning about Cabinet secrecy at an emergency Cabinet meeting yesterday morning, where Mrs. Cartwright DeCouto's resignation letter was read. Several Ministers were angered to first learn of the Minister's departure in the pages of The Royal Gazette .

Also yesterday, UBP chairman Mr. Gary Pitman gently criticised Mrs. Cartwright DeCouto for resigning on Wednesday.

Although there was a heavy load on Government's plate, the Independence issue had been raised and "we need to look at it,'' Mr. Pitman said. "It's unfortunate that Mrs. Cartwright DeCouto chose to resign when she did.

"It's a shame that she jumped the gun like this.''