Finance Minister and Deputy Premier Eugene Cox made a rare public appearance at the launch of Belco's new operations centre yesterday.

Looking slimmer than in the past, Mr. Cox said he was recovering but declined to comment further. The nature of the illness which put Mr. Cox in hospital twice this year - once for a six-week period - has not been made public.

Mr Cox was given a warm welcome at Belco where he worked for 31 years, reaching the position of senior vice president.

Works Minister Alex Scott, who was also at the ceremony, said he had been pleasantly surprised by Mr. Cox's appearance.

He said: "He is finding his legs again. He was in Parliament two weeks ago for the morning."

Mr. Scott said Mr. Cox was somebody who has always felt the need to contribute to public service. "He hears the call."

But he said further information on Mr. Cox's condition would have to come from the family.