House of Assembly yesterday was attacked as "clearly biased'' in favour of Independence by opponents and proponents alike.

But Deputy Premier the Hon. Irving Pearman, who chaired the Cabinet committee that prepared the Green Paper, denied the charge.

"I think it just states a case,'' Mr. Pearman told The Royal Gazette .

"We tried to see the issues as they were.'' The 64-page document concludes that Independence would mean "some additional cost to the taxpayer,'' but "should not cause a dimunition of confidence within the international community''.

Similarly, in the area of tourism, "there is no reason to believe that, should Bermuda choose to be Independent, there would be much, if any, dimunition of our British atmosphere.'' While "the status quo offers the reassurance of continuity to Bermudians and foreign residents alike,'' Independence "offers the prospect of new opportunities developed by Bermudians for Bermudians,'' the document says.

Mr. Pearman said a House debate on the Green Paper is set for March 10. The referendum bill will be tabled within two weeks, debated on either March 10 or March 17, and be dealt with before Easter, he said. A series of public meetings would be held before the referendum, likely to occur in July.

The costs of Independence -- estimated in the Green Paper at between $800,000 and $2.3 million a year -- were described by critics as "optimistic,'' or "fantasy''.

But Mr. Pearman said it was a mistake to look at the estimated cost of Independence in Government's 1977 Green Paper and then factor in inflation.

"The grand style tends to be going,'' he said. When the last Green Paper was prepared, "apparently we just got some rather grand figures from other people''.

But the tone of the paper was criticised as much as the figures were. Today, "we've got the best of both worlds,'' said Government backbencher Mr. Trevor Moniz, an Independence opponent. "I'm not sure the Green Paper reflects that.'' And Mr. Walton Brown, chairman of the Committee for the Independence of Bermuda, said the Green Paper "has a very clear pro-Independence bias''.

Although it supported his own position, "that's where it's weak,'' Mr. Brown said. Because it does not deal in detail with the "unfounded fears'' of many Bermudians, "it's not going to be able to convince those who are against it''.

The paper sets out four different Independence options. The cheapest would include full membership in neither the Commonwealth nor the United Nations, while the costliest would have all of that plus ambassadors in foreign missions in New York and London.

In contrast to the 1977 Green Paper, there is no mention of missions in Washington or Ottawa. Much of Bermuda's foreign business could be conducted through missions other countries would open in an independent Bermuda.

On internal security, the paper notes that both the Police and the Regiment have been strengthened since the last riot in 1977. "If Bermuda chose to move to Independence it would be prudent to ask the United Kingdom Government to review our present capability to determine what, if any, additional resources might be needed to ensure that Bermuda has the ability to look after itself.'' The paper assumes Bermuda would retain the Queen as head of state, represented by a Governor-General who should have a role in appointing top Police, the judiciary, and other officials, to ensure their autonomy. As for citizenship, all those with Bermudian status would receive Bermudian citizenship after Independence, while the status of other long-term residents "would need to be considered''. But "an Independence Constitution would, once and for all, resolve the question of who is a Bermudian.'' On the Hong Kong option, or the possibility of a changed relationship with the United Kingdom after Hong Kong is returned to the Chinese in 1997, the paper quotes a UK Cabinet Minister as saying the subject raised "complex issues'' and had not been discussed.

"However, there may be opportunity for reassessment of...policy at that time,'' the Minister told the committee during its London visit.

"Hence, the choice at this time is clear,'' the paper said. "Bermuda has the option either to remain a dependent territory of Great Britain, or to become an independent state.'' Green Paper in Focus: Page 2.

Green Paper's highlights Costs Including formation of an external affairs ministry, would total $800,000 to $2.3 million a year.

Consular assistance: Host country (Commonwealth) or British missions would act for Bermudians abroad.

Defence: Responsibility for the Bermuda Regiment would move from Governor to Government.

Police: Responsiblity of Police would be put in Government's hands, with the Commissioner's independence to maintain order possibly enshrined in the Constitution.

The Governor would be replaced by a Governor General, appointed by the Queen on the advice of the Premier and the Opposition Leader.

Judiciary: Appeals Court judges and the Chief Justice would be appointed by the Governor General after consultation with the Premier and the Opposition Leader. Appeals Court judges are now appointed at the Governor's discretion.

Appeals to the Privy Council in London would still be available.

Passports: Bermuda passport could be "more valuable'' than British Dependent Territories passport.

Citizenship: Born and status Bermudians would have full citizenship. "An Indpendence Constitution would once and for all resolve the question of who is Bermudian.'' Dual nationality: Citizens of two or more countries should be allowed to continue as they are.

Conclusion: "The status quo offers the reassurance of continuity to Bermudians and foreigners alike; while Independence, giving Bermudians full responsibility for both Bermuda's internal and external affairs, offers the prospect of new opportunities developed by Bermudians for Bermudians.''