Health and Family Services Minister Patrice Minors has added to her qualification for the post - by becoming a mother.

The Cabinet Office confirmed that the Minister gave birth to a healthy 6 pound, once ounce baby girl on Friday at 10.50 p.m. at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital. Last night both mother and daughter were said to be doing well.

The arrival of the baby girl, who will be called Anna, marks the first time a Cabinet Minister has given birth while in office.

Last night Premier Alex Scott congratulated Mrs. Minors and her husband, Stuart, on their new arrival, which is the first child for the couple.

"It was very much a close family affair at the Cabinet meetings for the past nine months," Premier Scott said. "During the recent weeks especially, we all feared that the blessed moment would take place right at the Cabinet table!"

The Premier said Mrs. Minors is an excellent Minister of Health and Family Services and that the new baby is blessed to have been born to two Christian, loving parents.

The Premier said all of Mrs. Minors' Cabinet colleagues were equally proud of her accomplishment and were pleased that mother and baby were doing well.