Premier Ewart Brown and Hamilton Mayor Charles Gosling are finally set for talks over controversial legislation making sweeping changes to Bermuda's Corporations.

Yesterday, Mr. Gosling once again expressed anger Dr. Brown and Minister without Portfolio Zane DeSilva had "not even bothered to engage us in consultation or discussion" over a way to modernise the municipalities.

Mr. DeSilva argued the door "has been open since the middle of March".

Either way, Mr. DeSilva said the Mayor is scheduled to meet the Premier on Monday.

Making a Ministerial Statement yesterday morning, Mr. DeSilva was heavily critical of Mr. Gosling's repeated complaints about the plans for reform and the way Government has handled the issue.

"The people of Bermuda have been treated to an inappropriate, ill-considered and in many cases misleading public campaign compliments of the Corporation of Hamilton," said the Minister.

"Honourable Members will have noted that this Government has not engaged in any counter attacks via the media, but have remained focused on the task at hand."

Mr. DeSilva said the bill would provide a starting point for a round of discussion "free from the glare of media spotlight and unaided by full-page ads".

But Mr. Gosling said: "Despite our best efforts to work with the Premier and Mr. DeSilva to reform the system in a way that expands democracy, they have shown no interest, nor have ever bothered to engage us in consultation or discussion.

"The details of the plan have never been discussed with this Corporation, nor to our knowledge, with the general public.

"At the same time, an overwhelming majority of Bermudians have made it clear that they do not support the takeover. The public will is now clearly being ignored."

While Mr. DeSilva made his statement on the legislation in the morning, the bill was not tabled until the afternoon.

But the United Bermuda Party had the chance to put the Minister on the spot during a parliamentary question and answer period after his speech.

Veteran MP John Barritt raised concerns politicians did not have copies of the bill or the speech in advance.

"My first question is why the statement was deliberately withheld from us and why the bill still remains withheld from us," said Mr. Barritt.

Mr. DeSilva replied: "The honourable member used the word 'deliberately' but let me just say it was a clerical error. The bill has not been tabled yet. When it is, all members will get copies."

"When and where?" responded Mr. Barritt.

Shadow Education Minister Grant Gibbons quizzed Mr. DeSilva over his comment that no assets would be removed from the Corporation. He asked if the ability to collect wharfage fees was an asset.

"The details will be discussed when we debate it," replied Mr. DeSilva.

When asked by Dr. Gibbons how much money had been spent on consultants engaged to review the future of the Corporations, Mr. DeSilva said it was $665,000 to date.

Asked if the Ministry thought he had value for money, Mr. DeSilva said: "I think I have had value, but the country as a whole certainly had value on it."

Yesterday afternoon, St. George's Mayor Kenny Bascome told The Royal Gazette he was taking a "wait and see" approach to the new legislation.

"In my discussions with the Premier, he said let's wait until the reform reaches its final stage," he said.

"I was elected to a position, to serve in the Corporation. If the Government decide they don't want the Corporations, that is their decision.

"It may in fact wind up that I become the shortest running Mayor of St. George. I hope that's not the case.

"I believe that the Corporation has served the municipality quite well, and I don't think that either Corporation should lose the powers they currently have."