a top Foreign Office Minister said at the weekend.

And Baroness Symons appeared to back the Bermudianisation of the Island's Police force in a major speech in London on the UK's recent White Paper rewrite of relations with its Overseas Territories.

Baroness Symons added that the "first essential'' of internal security is political stability.

She said: "As the White Paper makes clear, we're committed to maintaining a firm base of democracy, observance of human rights and the rule of law in all our Territories.'' Baroness Symons -- speaking at a meeting of the Royal United Services Institute in London on Friday -- said the Territories were small communities and needed "policing by consent''.

"They must have local members of the Police force trained effectively to manage it and to occupy the key appointments,'' she said.

"As we have made clear, we shall help with specialist support and training as and when needed.'' And she said a special scheme to promote the security of the Overseas Territories through training will also be used.

Baroness Symons added: "This allows us to help overseas military and police forces respect civilian democratic government and practices, the rule of law, international human rights standards and international humanitarian laws.'' And she pledged the Royal Navy and UK military -- as well as civilian knowhow -- to protect Bermuda against external threats like terrorism.

She added the UK had also targeted Customs and the Prison Services as "the subject of much attention''.

UK signals support for Bermudianisation Baroness Symons said: "Scattered and physically vulnerable as many of the Territories are, issues of aviation and maritime security are of considerable importance.'' And she added a special aviation security advisor had been appointed to assist in helping the OTs marine and airport operations under the terms of a White Paper rewriting the UK's relations with its colonies.

Baroness Symons said that many of the Territories were at risk from natural disasters, like hurricanes and volcanoes.

She added: "We have set out our determination to ensure that, as far as possible, the threats from natural risks, as well as other emergencies and the contingent liabilities associated with them, are minimised.

And she said: "Man-made problems, for example from terrorists, are another hazard that the territories face.

"The White Paper refers to the help that we will provide the Territories to meet security standards similar to those in the UK for the protection of ports and ships against acts of violence.'' Baroness Symons added: "This is necessary not only to meet international aviation licensing rules, but also to protect the tourist industries in those Territories which depend on them for a high proportion of their national income.'' She highlighted fashions in tourism, the impact of information technology, the threat from drug traffickers and other international criminals as potential problems for Bermuda and the other Territories.

Baroness Symons added: "These risks pose an insidious threat that can threaten to undermine the fabric of society.

"For example, drugs and organised crime syndicates are today powerful enough to threaten the way of life of whole countries.

"The UK's Overseas Territories typically have narrowly based economies and environments which are highly vulnerable to pressures and changes from an external world over which they have no control.

"Such instability can tear apart or lead to the uprooting of whole communities.''