The Senate line-up was completed yesterday with the announcement by Governor Sir John Vereker's announcement that he has appointed Carol Ann Marie Bassett, and veterans Idwal Wyn (Walwyn) Hughes and Alfred Oughton to the Upper Chamber.

The announcement means that the 11 member Senate is overwhelmingly dominated by men - eight of whom are black.

Mrs. Bassett, an executive with Bermuda Fire and Marine, is the only woman Senator and replaces Jeanette Cannonier.

This week the Business and Professional Women's Association criticised the leaders of the two political parties for not appointing any women to the Senate, saying that representation of the gender was important because men often failed to examine issues that affect women.

While Sir John's appointments do add some diversity to the new Senate, he would not comment on the reasoning behind his appointments when contacted yesterday.

"I don't want to get into the business of explaining and defending my discretionary appointments," he said.

The previous Senate consisted of three women, two of whom - Patrice Minors and Victoria Pearman - had been appointed by then Premier Jennifer Smith.

Mrs. Minors won a seat in the House of Assembly at the last General Election and was appointed Minister of Health by Premier Alex Scott.

Mr. Scott's five Senate appointments were all new - except for Legislative Affairs Minister Michael Scott - while Opposition Leader Grant Gibbons re-appointed Kim Swan and Leonard Santucci.

The United Bermuda Party's (UBP) Neville Darrell, who was elected to the House, was replaced in the Senate by Kenneth Bascome.