Independent Senators, who could hold the key to passing the Commission for Unity and Racial Equality race reporting regulations in Senate today, were playing their cards close to their chest last night about how they would vote.

And United Bermuda Party Senate Leader Maxwell Burgess also refused to reveal how the Opposition would vote.

The House of Assembly voted through the revised CURE reporting rules on July 7, but Senate must ratify the regulations before they become law.

In March, Government's first attempt to force employers to keep detailed records of the racial composition of their workforce was scuppered when Senate voted six to five to reject it because of concerns that businesses were not adequately consulted.

Independent Senators Walwyn Hughes, Jeanette Cannonier and Senate President Alf Oughton joined the three UBP Senators to defeat the five Government Senators.

Sen. Oughton used his casting vote to delay implementing the bill. He only exercises his vote if Senate is tied five to five.

In the House of Assembly on July 7, Government brought back a revised version of the bill which incorporated five out of seven changes suggested by a forum of business organisations.

The UBP said it supported CURE, but criticised the revised regulations, which apply to all companies with ten or more employees.

The UBP and business leaders are angry that Government did not drop the section of the legislation forcing companies to provide information on hiring, firing and promotions on racial lines.

They argued that this information, provided in form four, should only be provided by companies shown to have a marked racial imbalance.

When asked by The Royal Gazette last night how they would vote, Sen. Oughton said: "Come along and listen.'' Sen. Hughes said: "I'm not going to tell the Press.'' Sen. Cannonier could not be contacted.

When asked if the UBP would vote against the proposals, Sen. Burgess would only say: "We'll see what tomorrow brings.'' Also tomorrow, Senators are expected to pass the Volunteer Liability Act, which protects people administering first aid from being sued.

The Senate will also carry out the first reading of a series of private company bills.