been dashed for at least a year.

Despite pressure from the UK Foreign Office, the Overseas Territories Bill was left out of yesterday's Queen's Speech delivered to the British Parliament.

There was frustration in Bermuda that the legislation may now have to wait until after a General Election in Britain, which could be in May next year.

Deputy Governor Tim Gurney said: "We are disappointed. We know the Foreign Office had been working hard to have the legislation ready.

"If they could have put it in they would have done, both the Government and Foreign Office are committed to it -- but if there isn't time, there isn't time.'' The Queen's Speech concentrated on domestic issues in Britain, highlighting crime and public order, as Tony Blair's Labour Government heads towards the end of its five year term.

Following the speech, Baroness Scotland, Under Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, spoke of her distress at missing the cut.

"I well understand that there will be disappointment about the Overseas Territories Bill,'' she said. "I want to reaffirm that the Government remains committed to introducing legislation as soon as possible to ensure that our offer of citizenship is delivered.'' Premier Jennifer Smith said the delay was "not surprising'' considering the impending election in the UK and reminded the public that "realistic'' estimates would have taken into account the projected date the British had promised movement by.

"While it is regrettable that there was no mention of an Overseas Territiories Citizenship Bill in the UK Speech from the Throne, it is not a surprising omission in light of the anticipated UK General Election in 2001,'' she said in exclusive comments to the Royal Gazette .

"Admittedly, the British Labour Party had given a possible time frame of summer of 2001 and, with this in mind, it might be more realistic to expect the legislation to be ready for the 2001/2002 session.

"From our perspective, it makes the promise of interim measures for those with immediate needs even more important and the Bermuda Government will focus on the implementation of such arrangements.'' The current session of Parliament runs until next December, but could be interrupted by an election next year. If an election is called in May, there could be a short session of Parliament in the remainder of the year, which, if the ruling Labour Government stays in power, would mean picking up the remnants of yesterday's Queen's Speech.

In the event of a Conservative Government being formed, it would have complete control over what legislation was kept in, although the bill does have support from both parties.

The likely scenario is that the bill will not be dealt with until 2002 at the earliest.

Editorial: Page 4 UK Labour Party gears up for General Election: Page 44 Passport deal gets delayed However, the Foreign Office said that if a slot became available in the timetable, civil servants had been working hard to ensure it was ready to be processed as fast as possible.

Foreign Office spokesman Rosemary Waugh said: "When it does get a slot, we will be in a position to bring it forward as fast as possible.

"Baroness Scotland was particularly keen on citizenship -- so that we delivered what was set out in the White Paper.'' Opposition Legislative Affairs spokesman John Barritt said he half expected the news.

"I am very disappointed, it is not something we suggested, it was offered to us and to be told down the road it is off, that is disappointing,'' he said.

"This disappointment stems not just from the fact that they haven't followed through with the offer of citizenship but that they made this almost a promise two years ago.'' Mr. Barritt added he was also disappointed that as the grant could be a year away, the Island had fulfilled its part in the deal in abolishing capital punishment and tightening financial controls.

Playing on the British White Paper's title, Partnership for Progress, Mr.

Barritt concluded: "Personally, it leads me to question what they mean by Partnership.'' The White Paper included British citizenship to all those that wanted it on a non-reciprocal basis.

In addition, it aimed to establish better communication between London and territories and to ensure that the UK could discharge its responsibilities, particularly in organisations and standards where the UK represents its territories.