7 as the British-American Parliamentary Group meets on the Island.

Lady Auriol Moate, assistant secretary of the BAPG, said there would be a few formalities and words of welcome before the closed-door sessions began. But the BAPG no longer staged extensive opening ceremonies like ones Bermuda had seen in the past.

Formed in 1941, "the objects of the BAPG are to promote friendly relations and mutual understanding'' between both Houses of Parliament in both countries, she said.

Members discuss "problems common to the United Kingdom and the United States, exchange courtesies, and...arrange for the exchange of visits and information between legislators of both countries''.

The leaders of the two delegations are: UK -- The Hon. Malcolm Rifkind -- Secretary of State for Defence since 1992, he earlier served as Secretary of State for Transport from 1990 to 1992 and for Scotland from 1986 to 1990.

The Conservative MP for Edinburgh Pentlands, Mr. Rifkind, 47, is a graduate of Edinburgh University.

US -- Rep. Lee Hamilton - Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Mr.

Hamilton has represented Indiana's 9th Congressional District for the Democrats since 1964.

He was the House chairman of the special Iran-contra investigating committee in 1987-88, and a strong opponent of aid to the contras and other anti-communists in Latin America. He also opposed the Gulf War.

Delegation members are expected to include: UK -- Lord Ashbourne -- A Conservative Baron, Lord Ashbourne, 61, is a retired stockbroker who counts foreign affairs and defence among his special interests.

He is president of the Petersfield branch of the East Hampshire Conservative Association, vice-president of the Hampshire Autistic Society, and chairman of the Joshua Christian Trust.

Mr. Quentin Davies -- Conservative MP for Stamford and Spalding since 1987, he serves on the party's trade and industry committee as well as the backbench finance committee.

A graduate of Cambridge and Harvard, Mr. Davies is a director of Dewe Rogerson Consultants Ltd.

Mr. Timothy Kirkhope -- An assistant Government Whip, Mr. Kirkhope has been Conservative MP for Leeds North East since 1987.

A solicitor and former company director, Mr. Kirkhope, 49, holds a private pilot's licence.

Mr. Michael Lord -- Conservative MP for Suffolk Central since 1983, Mr. Lord, 55, is an arboricultural consultant and a member of the select committee on parliamentary commissioner for administration.

He graduated from Christ's College, Cambridge.

Dr. John Cunningham -- Labour MP for Copeland since 1983, and an MP since 1970, he is Labour's front bench spokesman on foreign and Commonwealth affairs.

A former research fellow at Durham University, Dr. Cunningham, 54, holds a doctorate in Chemistry.

Mr. Stuart Bell -- A former Opposition spokesman on Northern Ireland, Mr.

Bell, 55, has been Labour MP for Middlesbrough since 1983. A barrister and writer, he is a founding member of the British-Irish inter-Parliamentary body and vice-chairman of the northern group of Labour MPs.

Mr. Ray Powell -- An Opposition Whip, Mr. Powell has been Labour MP for Ogmore since 1979.

Secretary of the Welsh group of Labour MPs, Mr. Powell, 65, is chairman of the Commons accommodation and works committee and a former British Rail employee.

Mr. Malcolm Wicks -- Labour MP for Croydon North West since 1992, Mr. Wicks, 46, is director of the Family Policy Studies Centre. United States Rep.

Charlie Rose -- Democratic chairman of the House Administration Committee, Mr.

Rose, 54, has represented North Carolina's 7th Congressional district since 1972.

Among other work, the lawyer and former prosecutor presided over the investigation of the House Post Office on charges of embezzlement and drug dealing among its employees and huge stamp sales to certain members.

Rep. Tom Lantos -- The Hungarian-born Congressman from California's 12th district has devoted much of his interest to foreign policy since he was first elected in 1980.

Founder of the Congressional Human Rights Caucus, Mr. Lantos, 66, is a strong supporter of Israel who was a vocal backer of the Gulf War.

Rep. Sherwood Boehlert -- A Republican, Mr. Boehlert, 57, has represented New York's 23rd Congressional district since 1982.

A moderate on economics and foreign policy, he is a critic of the Republican cultural and religious right. His committees include Science, Space and Technology.

Rep. Eliot Engel -- A Democrat, he represents New York's 17th district, which takes in most of the Bronx.

A former teacher and guidance counsellor, Mr. Engel, 47, sits on the Foreign Affairs committee, where he supports Israel and backed the Gulf War. He also sits on the Education and Labour committee.

Rep. Robert Torricelli -- Another Democrat on the Foreign Affairs committee, Mr. Torricelli, 42, has represented New Jersey's 9th Congressional district since 1982.

He chairs the Western Hemisphere Subcommittee, where he has backed new trade sanctions against Cuba in an effort to force Fidel Castro from office.

Both Mr. Torricelli and Mr. Rose were allies of Premier the Hon. Sir John Swan in his lobbying efforts to delay the closure of the US Base last year.

Rep. Tom Lewis -- A Florida Republican, Mr. Lewis, 69, has represented the state's 16th Congressional district since 1983.

A former aircraft executive, he has received more than 50 outstanding legislator awards.

Rep. Floyd Spence -- The ranking Republican on the House Armed Services committee, Mr. Spence, 66, has represented South Carolina's 2nd Congressional district since 1970.

The first member of the House to sponsor a balanced budget Constitutional amendment, he has tried to limit the size of proposed cuts in defence spending.

Rep. Bill Young -- Mr. Young, 63, has represented Florida's 10th Congressional district, which takes in St. Petersburg, for the Republicans since 1970.

He sits on the Appropriations Committee, where he has backed the bone marrow donor programme, child health research centres, juvenile diabetes centres, and increased funding for paediatric AIDS.

US Congressman Rep. Lee Hamilton.