Government will bring in British consultants within the next couple of months to review the Civil Service.

Premier Jennifer Smith has confirmed to the The Royal Gazette that the study will be carried out by officials from the Civil Service College in the UK. It is expected to take 11 weeks.

Ms Smith met with Permanent Secretaries and heads of departments yesterday to inform them about the study and to thank them for "getting the new Government through the first 100 days''.

She said: "Government has decided to carry out a review of the civil service with a view to the 21st Century.

"In fact, when we visited the Civil Service College in England we engaged in talks with them about what they might do for us.'' Ms Smith would not be drawn on the possibility of streamlining any departments.

"They actually have a process by which they examine what you are doing and look at how you might make it better, and give you a strategic plan for change and betterment with a view towards thinking through the 21st Century,'' she stated.

"In light of that overall approach, which will be an independent study by people who are trained in this, we're not looking at any department in particular.'' Ms Smith stressed the aim of the study was to give Government a better understanding of "where we are going''.

"We're taking a very measured approach,'' she said. "Our aim is to get the information. Even though we may have thoughts -- and we do -- we're not dealing with that.

"We're going to get the information and see what is recommended, then sit down and work out a plan.'' Government expected to implement the recommendations before the end of the year.

Noting the significance of such a study, Ms Smith said: "The last time the Civil Service had such an independent study was in the 1980s. And what we did learn is that this is something that is generally carried out every five years.

"As the new people in we thought the best way to start was with that kind of assessment.'' Britain's assistance with the study will come wiith a price attached. Labour Party peer Lord Ashley told The Royal Gazette this week that he had been assured by Foreign Office junior minister Baroness Symons that Britain would be happy to help with the modernisation of the public service.

Lord Ashley, who led a delegation of Labour Party Parliamentarians to the Island last month, met with Baroness Symons earlier this week.

"We told her there was a wish in Bermuda for Britain to help in the Civil Service. The Minister said she was happy to help,'' he said.

"She added there would be a rider for any assistance of this kind -- she would expect Bermuda to pay. But that is very reasonable and we agreed to go along with that.'' See Monday's newspaper for The Royal Gazette's interview with Premier Smith and Tuesday's RG Magazine for its coverage of the new Government's first 100 days.

Premier Jennifer Smith has vowed to beef up the civil service in a bid to get new PLP legislation drafted up and into the House of Assembly as soon as possible.

In an interview aired on ZBM television last night Ms Smith declared that more staff would be recruited into the Parliamentary drafting arm of the Attorney General's chambers.

And she defended her Government's track record, saying that many PLP initiatives would soon be law.

"The legislation process is a lengthy one,'' Ms Smith said.

"Many people who deal with the drafting process feel there's a need for more people in the Attorney General's chambers -- but getting those people on board isn't going to happen overnight.

"While we would like to see some more legislation I don't think our production would be in any way wanting.

"I am very pleased that we have had some legislation and that legislation has been aimed at those things we talked about in the Throne Speech.

"But I do think we have got to get more people in there. We haven't got those people yet but once they are I expect a steady even flow.

"I am very pleased and heartened by the fact that Bermudians seem to think that things will not happen overnight but they think that we're working on them.'' Premier Jennifer Smith The Royal Gazette's interview with Premier Smith and Tuesdsy's RG Magazine for its coverage of the new Government's first 100 days.