`What Scotland actually has is a decentralised system rather than independence. It's not gone off on its own. But people on the Island, irrespective of status, seem confused about what the position is.' -- Ian Davidson A Scots MP visiting Bermuda set the record straight on the referendum on a Scottish Assembly.

Ian Davidson, Labour MP for Glasgow Pollok, said he had noticed a lot of Island residents were under the impression that Scotland had gone independent.

But Mr. Davidson said: "While devolution -- while it's giving Scotland it's own Parliament and the ability to make its own laws -- it will leave Scotland still within the United Kingdom and under the Crown.

"Things like foreign affairs, finance, defence policy and trading standards will remain in the hands of the UK Parliament.

"What Scotland actually has is a decentralised system rather than independence. It's not gone off on its own.

"But people on the Island, irrespective of status, seem confused about what the position is.'' Mr. Davidson added that he had met Governor Thorold Masefield and Deputy Governor Peter Willis, as well as political figures like Progressive Labour Party Leader Jennifer Smith, who he had met at the recent British Labour Party's conference in Brighton, England.

He said: "One of the issues people have raised is the cost of education in the States and Canada as opposed to the UK and the extent to which that is rechannelling cultural ties.'' Mr. Davidson added that it was an important point in relations between the UK and its former colonies as Labour Foreign Secretary Robin Cook had ordered a massive review between Britain and its Dependent Territories -- with a "custom-made'' solution for each of them.

He said he would be raising residents' concerns when he got back to Westminster and paying special attention to the work of Mr. Cook's review team.

Mr. Davidson is on the Island to settle the affairs of his uncle Ian Crowe -- a former golf director at the Belmont Hotel -- who died in Scotland last month.

Mr. Crowe, 73, who had lived in Bermuda for 30 years, died in his homeland after undergoing surgery in August.

Mr. Davidson said of his trip to Bermuda: "It's been a bit difficult because I have arrived in unfortunate circumstances.

"But I have found the people here generally friendly -- and Bermuda has a nice small town feel to it.

"Coming from the Borders of Scotland, which has small towns, I quite appreciate it.'' Mr. Davidson added that a memorial service for his uncle would be held at the Church of Scotland's Christ Church, Warwick, on Sunday, starting at 4 p.m.

A reception for Mr. Crowe's many golfing friends will be held afterwards at the Belmont.

SCOTCHING MYTHS -- Scots MP Ian Davidson.