debated on Friday, United Bermuda Party MPs have dropped plans for a Commission of Inquiry on Independence, a source said yesterday.

A Commission of Inquiry -- which has the power to subpoena witnesses and compel testimony under oath -- would be replaced by a less powerful fact-gathering device, the source told The Royal Gazette .

The change, discussed at a "strategy session'' involving United Bermuda Party MPs and Senators yesterday morning, was expected to be discussed further at a full caucus meeting tonight.

Oppostion Leader Mr. Frederick Wade had said he planned to proceed on Friday with his motion to kill plans for a Commission of Inquiry.

It was possible that some UBP dissidents said that while they would not support the Progressive Labour Party motion, they could not vote against it, either.

The UBP has held a string of meetings aimed at resolving internal differences over plans for a referendum on Independence, which was to be preceded by a Commission of Inquiry.

There was no official word on what was decided yesterday, but sources said the UBP was still attempting to assure any move toward Independence was backed by a sizable majority of Bermudians.

"We intend to go to the House on Friday with the appropriate strategy,'' Premier the Hon. Sir John Swan said yesterday. He would not comment further.

One caucus source said the UBP still had a way to go in achieving consensus as the regular caucus prepares to meet tonight.

The House of Assembly resumes from the Easter Break on Friday. Set for debate is a Senate amendment to the Independence Referendum Act 1994. Prior to the Senate amendment, the House narrowly passed the bill in a 20-18 vote, with the Hon. Ann Cartwright DeCouto abstaining on the Government side.

The Senate amendment would require a majority of registered voters to cast "yes'' ballots before there was a mandate to seek Independence. In its place, Government may introduce its own amendment that would require a minimum voter turn-out, perhaps two-thirds of the electorate, before any referendum result could be acted on.

The Hon. Sir John Swan.