The United Bermuda Party's Senate leader Maxwell Burgess has demanded that Government come clean over whether Assembly seat numbers will be slashed before the next election.

Earlier in a brief, but fiery session Government Senate leader Milton Scott had said reform would involve all the parties at a constitutional conference.

He said: "We believe in democracy. There is no hidden agenda.'' But Opposition Senator Kim Swan demanded to know when it would be set up.

Progressive Labour Party Senator David Burch said: "Soon, very soon.'' But Sen. Swan hit back: "You say soon and very soon. It is not unreasonable to ask when and when and when if you want to embrace transparency.'' When asked after the meeting why the Government could not provide this information Senator Scott said: "These matters are controlled by the UK not by us. We can't amend the constitution.'' However Sen. Burgess wanted to know if representation had been made to the UK government on this point and what their response was.

He said Sen. Burch had said seat changes would happen before Independence.

And because the PLP had said Independence would not be looked at before the next election, then seat changes and constitutional reform were possible before then.

Mr. Burgess later told The Royal Gazette : "Last week they said we would have single seats before Independence and David Allen took the issue of consolidation of Ministries.

"Is it a year from now or two years from now? Will the Government come clean.

Yes or no to constitutional reform in the life of this Parliament?'' "If not, then the people can stop worrying about it now.'' In the Senate exchange Mr. Burgess had also demanded the truth behind rumours that the Cabinet would be downsized.

And he asked whether Government was waiting for the forthcoming census before pushing ahead with plans to move to single-seat constituencies.

"If that is the plan, then tell people that is the plan,'' he said.

"Come clean over the pre-Independence constitutional reform you propose to have.'' Sen. Scott said the PLP's commitment to single-member constituencies had gone back years.

And he added: "It's quite clear that Independence isn't an issue in this term of office.

"When it is, we will take it to the people.'' He said the issue had recently been put on the agenda by the UK's Foreign Office while he inferred the UBP had not fully consulted the people when trying to go for Independence under former Premier Sir John Swan.

Sen. Scott went on to point out why single-seat constituencies were needed.

He said: "In Paget East and West votes count twice what they do in Warwick East and West.'' He said Government could not tell everything about constitutional negotiations with the UK government without revealing its hand.

He said: "We'll keep information close to our chest. You don't disclose it until the time is appropriate.'' However, Sen. Swan said: "Just because the Government wants single seats it doesn't mean they have all the answers. There are some minds the Government needs the benefit of.'' Maxwell Burgess