Assembly when MPs return from their Christmas holidays on Friday.

Labour and Home Affairs Minister the Hon. Irving Pearman last night confirmed Government's intention.

But legislation to allow for a referendum planned for this summer will not be tabled with the discussion paper, called a Green Paper, Mr. Pearman said.

An annex to the Green Paper describes "the basic structure'' of the referendum bill, but Government plans to table the legislation "a little bit later'', he said.

With a "take note'' motion planned on the Green Paper during this session, it remains to be seen whether Government can also push a referendum bill through the House before it rises for Easter. If not, the bill would have to be dealt with early in May if the vote is to be held while students are on the Island in June or July.

The Green Paper, prepared by a five-member Cabinet committee headed by Mr.

Pearman, is to set out the pros and cons of Bermuda going Independent or remaining a dependent territory. It is reportedly much more detailed than the last Green Paper on Independence in 1977.

On Friday, MPs are expected to debate increased penalties for firearms offences. That exchange is likely to touch on crime generally and the row over the overseas hiring of Bermuda's two top Police officers. Therefore, a "take note'' debate on the Premier's Task Force on Employment is likely to wait until February 10.

That takes the House up to the Budget Speech on February 15, followed by the Opposition Reply on February 22, and the Budget Debate for the next two weeks.

When the vote on the referendum bill does come, its passage is by no means assured. Opposition remains in the Government back benches, and only three Government MPs would have to absent themselves from the House or abstain on the vote to create a tie.

"There are interesting times ahead,'' conceded Government Whip Mr. John Barritt, who could not keep all rebel MPs in line during the 1994 referendum debate.

Opposition Leader Mr. Frederick Wade said he expects a "very exciting'' session.

"All of the major issues which we've been talking about for the past year I think will be brought to a head and to some kind of conclusion,'' Mr. Wade said.

The Progressive Labour Party will continue to oppose the hiring of Bermuda's Police Commissioner and Deputy Police Commissioner from England, he said.

"We're not going to let the matter drop until we see the backs of those two gentlemen.'' A protest march might be held, and British Labour MP Mr. Bernie Grant might visit Bermuda to take part, Mr. Wade said. Also, a PLP delegation might fly to London to press the British Government on the issue, he said.

The PLP continues to assist in circulating a petition opposing the hiring, which now has 6,000 names.