will deal with it,'' the Hon. Sir John Swan told The Royal Gazette .

"What it will be and what form it will take will be a matter for the party.'' The Premier would not comment further on the Independence referendum initiative, or its timing.

Combined with United Bermuda Party caucus dissent, it is believed that House rules which prohibit debate on two similar pieces of legislation in the same session will delay any action until fall.

The Independence Referendum Act 1994 narrowly passed the House of Assembly in February, but was later amended in the Senate.

The amendment was before the House to be debated on Friday, but Sir John asked that it be carried over.

A Commission of Inquiry on Independence, which was referred to in the legislation passed by the House, has since been rejected by the House. House Clerk Mr. James Smith has said the House cannot remove references to the Commission of Inquiry from the bill.

Government tried to introduce a new bill that did not mention a Commission of Inquiry, but it was defeated on first reading in a backbench revolt.

The UBP recently named a three-member committee to investigate and make recommendations on resolving the "impasse'' in the party.