Republican chairman of the US House Judiciary Committee inquiry, Henry Hyde, said yesterday that he believed a preliminary impeachment inquiry against the President was warranted.

"I should think there is enough to warrant an inquiry," Hyde said.

However, the Democrats, who hold 45 votes against the Republicans 55, are trying to narrow the inquiry.

The Judiciary Committee will decide whether to recommend to the full US House of Representatives such a preliminary inquiry during a meeting scheduled for Monday next.

Committee members are also expected to begin hearings soon to debate what constitutes "high crimes and misdemeanors" that could justify impeaching a president, Hyde said.

Law professors and other experts will provide their views onthe issue during the hearings, which are to be organised by the sub-committee responsible for constitutional affairs, the Senator said.

He also announced that both Democratic and Republican members of the Judiciary Committee will visit independent counsel Kenneth Starr's office this week to examine the remaining files concerning the Lewinsky matter.