§ Mr. Alan DuncanTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his232W Department's policy is with regard to the use of opinion polls conducted in Bermuda on the proposed constitutional changes as evidence of Bermudan opinion. [73473]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienOur policy is to encourage the widest possible public consultation throughout the constitutional review process. Reliable and published opinion polls can play a part in that.
§ Mr. Alan DuncanTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what criteria he proposes to use to determine whether there is consensus in Bermuda on the proposed changes to the electoral system. [73474]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienWe propose to take into account the report of the Constituency Boundaries Commission, which itself invited the views of the public, the subsequent debate in the Bermuda House of Assembly, and any other available evidence of public opinion in Bermuda.
§ Mr. Alan DuncanTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when his Department will make public the UK Civil Service College review of the Bermudan Civil Service.[73475]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienThe Review of the Bermuda Public Service was commissioned by the Government of Bermuda. It is for them to decide when and if the report should be published.
§ Mr. Alan DuncanTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if it his Department's policy to convene a constitutional conference to discuss proposed changes to Bermuda's constitution; and if he will make a statement. [73476]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienA Constitutional Conference has neither been ruled in nor out at this stage. We do not propose to reach a judgement on the case for a further process until we have received the report of the Constituency Boundaries Commission and there has been an opportunity for the House of Assembly in Bermuda to discuss the report.
§ Mr. Alan DuncanTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations the Bermudan Government have made to his Department explaining why it wishes to reduce the size of the House of Assembly; and if he will make a statement. [73477]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienThe current Government of Bermuda have made it clear that they favour a move from dual to single-seat constituencies. This commitment was part of their 1998 election manifesto. The Boundaries Commission are to produce a report, recommending the number and boundaries of constituencies within a margin no fewer than 20 and no greater than 40. The House of Assembly, which at present consists of 40 members, will then debate the report.