Britain's rewrite of relations with its colonies could be unveiled next month.

The UK White Paper -- tipped to include an offer of full British passports with no strings attached -- may be published as early as the first week in February.

The news came as a UK Commonwealth Parliamentary Association team led by Labour veteran Lord Ashley met Premier Jennifer Smith at Cabinet Office.

Lord Ashley said afterwards: "We have discussed the White Paper before -- we're really having to wait to see what they say. But it may be out by February.'' He added: "I think it's foolish to speculate on it because we don't know what way it will go -- but I would be optimistic.

Lord Ashley said: "I will be participating in the debate and my views are very clear after meeting the Premier.

"Anything I can do to help I certainly will -- and that applies to all the members of the group here.'' Lord Ashley said the top topics at yesterday's meeting included reversing the decline in tourism, work permits and Bermuda's international business sector.

Bermuda is currently under the microscope as part of a probe by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development into suspect offshore jurisdictions and the Island is fighting to stay off an international hitlist.

Lord Ashley said delegation members had mentioned some offshore jurisdictions which suffer from a poor image.

But he added: "The Premier made it very clear that Bermuda is very proud of the integrity, as well as the efficiency, of financial services here.

"We recognise that and Bermuda has a very good reputation -- if we can help on that we will.'' Lord Ashley added that the Premier had told him "a great deal more could be done'' on the tourism front -- particularly in terms of improving amenities on the Island.

He said: "The amenities here are already superb -- the delegation all agree that the facilities here are so excellent that what is really required is advertising because once people come here, they will want to return again and again.

"I'm certainly going to try and revisit the Island in a private capacity.'' Lord Ashley added that Ms Smith had told delegates she wanted to "streamline and improve the provision of work permits.'' But he said: "We took the point that she wanted more qualified Bermudians to go for these top jobs -- we recognise and welcome that.'' Editorial: Page 4