caucus meeting on Independence yesterday.

And the United Bermuda Party is set to resume its internal debate on Independence at another meeting next Wednesday.

After a break for lunch, the meeting of UBP MPs and Senators which began at 9.30 a.m. stretched well past 5.30 p.m. as the Parliamentary Group worked on a formula to break the Independence referendum deadlock.

Independence talk was finally put off until next Wednesday but it is understood the legislators were close to reaching a compromise on the size of a majority needed before seeking Independence.

The Premier emerged smiling but would not comment, referring a reporter from The Royal Gazette to Government Whip and caucus chairman Mr. John Barritt for a prepared statement.

"I think it is fair to say that as a Parliamentary group we are pleased with the progress made,'' Mr. Barritt said. "I will not and cannot speak on specifically what was discussed or what was said.

"I am however prepared to confirm that there was a vote of overwhelming confidence in the party leader and Premier, Sir John Swan.'' No required notice was given for a leadership challenge under UBP rules, but it is believed a challenge from the floor was put down by a resounding caucus vote.

Mrs. Ann Cartwright DeCouto MP, who quit Cabinet over the Independence issue and has been sharply critical of Government's approach, said after the meeting she "naturally'' remained committed to the UBP. But she would not comment on whether she remained committed to the leader.

While there were details still to be worked out, it was believed the party went some way to resolving divisions over what sort of referendum result would be needed before there was a mandate to seek Independence.

One UBP MP said there were only "i's to be dotted and t's to be crossed'' on the revised referendum plan.

The party could be settling on a minimum voter turn-out, possibly of two-thirds of the electorate, before a majority vote in favour of Independence could be acted on.

In the statement, Mr. Barritt described the meeting as "very constructive''.

The specifics of what was discussed were "matters of confidence and will remain such,'' he said.

When the House resumes on May 6, it is set to debate a Senate amendment that would require a majority of eligible voters to cast a "yes'' for Independence before the result could be acted on. That proposal did not win the support of caucus yesterday.