"That will be the number of seats until a new constitution is voted on and agreed to," said the Thebaca MLA, referring to the constitution being developed for what's left of the NWT after division in 1999.

The constitution was originally to have been ratified and made law in time for division, but the group responsible for developing it has recognized that is not possible. The plan now is to have the constitution, which will outline the form and composition of government, ready for federal legislators by division.

The caucus, composed of all western MLAs, has slated the West's first election for October 1999, the end of the present term.

Asked about the number of cabinet posts there would be in the western legislature, Miltenberger said, "What's being considered is a six-member caucus, plus a speaker, and seven ordinary members." The premier will determine how the cabinet responsibilities will be divided up.

There are currently eight cabinet ministers.

Riding boundaries will remain unchanged, dispensing with need for an electoral boundaries commission before the first election.

Because the Northwest Territories Act requires a minimum of 15 members, the territorial government has asked the federal government to amend it prior to the first election for the western territory.

Miltenberger said the amendment will be submitted along with those required for the creation of Nunavut.

The western caucus still has to come up with a new flag, crest and name for the new western territory.

The name issue, long a controversial subject in the West, will be part of the winter round of constitutional consultations, said Miltenberger.