today.

And Government's plans for a Commission of Inquiry and referendum on Independence are to be announced.

The Base motion, put forward by Opposition Leader Mr. Frederick Wade, reads: "That the Government take all immediate steps to ensure that the closure of the US Naval Base does not cause Bermuda great economic or other hardship and take steps to ensure that Bermudians are trained to take over the operation of the Civil Airport.'' Mr. Wade, who expressed concern Government would try to amend the motion to make it its own, said the Progressive Labour Party would demonstrate its "keen interest in what happens on a matter of national importance''.

The best thing Government could do for the Country was accept the PLP's offer to sit on the Base committees, he said.

Premier the Hon. Sir John Swan said yesterday the full membership of the committees had not been set and would not be announced today.

The Premier said he would participate in the Base debate.

Much anticipation today surrounds a statement by the Premier on a Commission of Inquiry and referendum planned on Independence.

After considerable debate, the United Bermuda Party caucus decided to go ahead with a referendum, but Mrs. Ann Cartwright DeCouto MP resigned as Delegated Affairs Minister over the issue.

Mrs. Cartwright DeCouto will be absent from the House today, but she said it was unrelated to her uncertainty over whether she will support referendum legislation.

She is in Boston on holiday with her husband and one of her sons, and her absence has the blessing of Government Whip Mr. John Barritt.

The person who would head the Commission of Inquiry had not been decided and would not be announced today, Sir John said.

Meanwhile, Mr. Wade struck out at Government yesterday, complaining that it was not until 2 p.m. yesterday that he learned from Mr. Barritt that his Base motion would be debated today.

"We called the Whip at nine o'clock (Wednesday) night and he didn't know,'' Mr. Wade said.

The PLP caucus met on Wednesdays but was not learning what the House would be dealing with in a timely manner.

"This week is the worst case,'' but "the whole manner in which the House is being operated these days leaves much to be desired.

"It's really contemptuous toward the Opposition,'' and also showed "the bad mismanagement we're faced with''.

Mr. Barritt said he wanted to cooperate with the Opposition and "I will do my best to try to avoid this in future''.

Part of the problem was that the UBP caucus meet on Thursdays.