Gibbons, Health and Social Services Minister the Hon. Quinton Edness yesterday clarified remarks he made in the House of Assembly on Friday.

Mr. Edness rose during "personal explanations,'' just before debate resumed on Government's Green Paper on Independence.

In his speech on Friday, Mr. Edness had criticised Sir David for suggesting that an Independent Bermuda could easily take away rights that were entrenched in the Constitution, like the right to appeal to the Privy Council in London.

Mr. Edness said he had been drawing from comments on Sir David's remarks in a Letter to the Editor of The Royal Gazette , written by Mrs. Joyce Hall.

In fact, Sir David had not said "that it would happen,'' Mr. Edness said.

"He did say there is a perception among certain exempted companies that it could happen.'' "I have a high regard and respect for Sir David Gibbons,'' Mr. Edness said.

"I would not want to inadvertently mar his reputation in any way for something that was attributed to him.

"He did not say it.''