Green Paper on Independence yesterday fielded an allegation that Government had been discredited by an alleged breach of broadcasting regulations.

At an Independence meeting at St. George's Town Hall last night Home Affairs Minister the Hon. Irving Pearman replied to an accusation from the floor that the UBP had to adhere to broadcasting regulations and should have stated that the broadcast had been paid for by the UBP.

Mr. Pearman replied that the responsibility of reporting that the debate had been paid for by the party lay with ZBM which televised the debate featuring three green paper committee members.

"That was their responsibility,'' Mr. Pearman said.

Education Minister the Hon. Dr. Clarence Terceira also stated that he had not been invited to appear on the programme, refuting the claim by BBC managing director Mr. Rick Richardson that "the whole committee including Dr. Saul had been invited to attend''.

About 50 people attended last night's meeting at which five committee members including the Hon. Maxwell Burgess, the Hon. Dr. David Saul, Mr. Pearman, Dr.

Terceira and the Hon. Jerome Dill replied to a wide spectrum of questions of citizenship, costs, overseas consulates, and the appointment of the judiciary.

Another person questioned whether an Independent Bermuda would have enough checks and balances to prevent any political party or individual from becoming all-powerful.

He said that a future Governor general should be chosen by someone other than a political figure.

On the question of whether those not in favour of Independence should vote or abstain Mr. Pearman said Government had not made the decision "flippantly''.

He said the 40 percent of eligible voters required for Bermuda to go Independent remained, "a very high number to say yes.'' Asked how Government would broach the climate of uncertainty if a referendum proved inconclusive Mr. Pearman replied: "It is a very possible position. It would be a very challenging position for the UBP''.