submissions, and one lively town hall forum, Government's Franchise Committee will present its final report to Parliament this month, committee chairman and Minister of Tourism David Dodwell yesterday told The Royal Gazette .

The committee was struck this summer after Government triggered a storm of protest earlier in the year by granting permission to former Premier Sir John Swan's Grape Bay Ltd. to operate a McDonald's burger outlet on the Island.

"We listened to a whole range of views; we even used the Internet to get feedback on how one defines a franchise,'' said Mr. Dodwell.

"We talked to jurisdictions that have had problems with fast-food franchises, looking at experiences in Vermont, California, and other places that have resisted or tried to control them,'' said Mr. Dodwell.

While declining to reveal the contents of the report, Mr. Dodwell indicated the committee focused on planning and environmental issues such as the appearance of the operation and its signage, advertising, use of foreign names, litter, local competition, number and location of outlets, foreign control and effects on tourism.

The 13-member committee -- originally struck as a Cabinet subcommittee -- was later expanded to encompass all spectrums of community opinion he added, drawing in well known opponents of franchises such as Phyllis West-Harron who earlier this summer spearheaded a 4,200-name petition against Sir John's plan.

But despite its inclusive intentions one person who stood before the panel questioned its bias. UBP rebel Trevor Moniz last night told The Royal Gazette : "My feeling is that the majority of the committee was asking not whether to let in international restaurants, but how to do it.

"I don't want to preempt the report, but I think the committee are leaning towards something that looks Bermudian on the outside but looks like a franchise on the inside.'' The panel also heard submissions from 14 local organisations including the Bermuda Industrial Union, The National Trust, Keep Bermuda Beautiful, Bermuda International Business Association, and the North Street Retailers Association.

"I can tell you this committee has worked hard and worked long and we've listened to wide variety of views,'' said Mr. Dodwell. "And this report is going to go to the House (of Assembly) untouched.'' The report must first be seen by Cabinet and caucus before being made public.

RESTAURANT EAT