hanging over the Island, the Finance Minister said last night.

The Hon. David Saul told a Devonshire South constituency meeting that the first three months of this year was the second best on record for the number of companies coming to the Island.

He also told the meeting that $2.3 million "could easily'' run an Independent Bermuda and urged people not to respond to scaremongering.

The meeting at Christ Church hall was attended by about 70 people and also speaking was local MP Mr. John Barritt.

Asked about the threatened resignations of some Cabinet Ministers after the August 15 Independence referendum, Dr. Saul said: "I am somewhat embarrassed by individuals who have taken an extreme position.

"But I think you will find that a week is a long time in politics and you will see in a months time that circumstances might change.'' He added: "A new Premier has the right to pick a new Cabinet. It can be the same faces, or a new set, that happens all the time.'' Dr. Saul, who has taken a neutral stance over the Independence issue, said despite the efforts and manpower going into the debate, companies were still coming to Bermuda.

On the question of cost, Dr. Saul added: "The figure of $2.3 million could quite easily run an Independent Bermuda. To say $10 million is totally unreasonable.'' Mr. Barritt, who is anti-Independence, listed a string of disadvantages to severing ties with Britain. Costs would increase, even more manpower would be diverted into preparing for Independence and there would be continuing apprehension in the business community.

He said crime, drugs and education should be tackled before Independence is considered.

More than 400 Bermudians who will be off the Island for the August 15 Independence Referendum voted in the last advance poll yesterday.

Parliamentary Registrar Mrs. Marlene Christopher said 417 votes were cast at Wesley Methodist Church Hall.

The numbers are down from last month's advance poll during which 727 ballots were cast on July 25.