changes its laws to allow free entry under a new deal for the colonies -- The Royal Gazette can reveal.

For UK Foreign Secretary Robin Cook told MPs in the House of Commons: "I give an assurance that British dependent citizens will not require a visa to come to Britain and do not require one at present.'' While it is understood anyone who wants to work, study or live in Britain has to get a special visa -- Mr. Cook appears to have sent a clear signal that could end soon.

And the need for Overseas Territories citizens -- who are only visiting Britain -- to pass through the foreign nationals entry barrier could also go in advance of new legislation.

Mr. Cook added that acting ahead of a change in the law needed to remove barriers to Overseas Territories citizens living and working in Britain was a matter for Home Secretary Jack Straw.

But Mr. Cook added: "We will seek to put the changes in the legislative programme and to bring them into effect as quickly as we can.

"It should be appreciated that this is important for their access not just to Britain, but to Europe.'' Mr. Cook admitted: "Many citizens of British Overseas Territories find it an affront that, when they visit other European countries, they are treated as non-EU citizens.

"They see a contrast between their treatment and that of citizens of territories of the Netherlands and of France.

"After the legislation and in the light of the White Paper, that insult will have been removed.'' Mr. Cook was speaking after he unveiled the long-awaited White Paper on the Overseas Territories -- which offers full UK citizenship to the 150,000 or so people of the remaining colonies.

That means Bermudians and those from the other Overseas Territories will be able to enter, live and work in Britain on the same basis as mainland-born passport holders and EU citizens.

Bermudians do not require a visa to visit Britain -- but they are not treated on an equal basis as full British passport holders and EU citizens.

But now Britain appears to be considering removing discrimination -- even before the law is formally changed.

Mr. Cook, however, in response to questions from MPs, ruled out MPs sitting in the House of Commons to represent the Territories.

And he also vetoed votes for the European Parliament for the colonies, a concession which has been granted to Gibraltar.

He said: "I believe the Government's majority to be sufficiently strong without such a gesture.

"There is no demand from the Overseas Territories... it would mean that they had to accept a much greater integration with our Government system than they have at present.

"The Overseas Territories have wide autonomy and self-government and that is more precious and important to them than any risk of compromising it to gain representation here.'' He added "it would be hard'' to extend Euro-voting rights to Territories "as long as they choose to remain outside the European Union.'' UK easing visa requirements Mr. Cook said that, although France and Holland allow their overseas territories voting rights in metropolitian elections, these territories had historically been "highly integrated with the Government systems of the metropolitan country.'' He added: "For these reasons, I cannot see a precedent to build on and I'm not aware of any such demand from these Overseas Territories.''