Premier Alex Scott yesterday confirmed reports that Clifton, the current official residence of the Chief Justice, will become the official residence of the Premier.

He said it had been suggested by Cabinet members and he had agreed that the Premier should have an official residence at taxpayers' expense.

Camden, at the Botanical Gardens, has been the Premier's official residence, but while it has been used for formal functions, no Premier has ever lived in it.

Yesterday the Premier said he had reluctantly agreed to move into Clifton, a sprawling property on Middle Road, Devonshire.

"This Premier is happy at home," he said.

He said anything that would take him away from his Bob Marley record collection and his current surroundings was "not an attractive proposition".

But he said that he would be moving in shortly after the completion of maintenance work on the house following Chief Justice Austin Ward's retirement at the end of the month.

The Laurels, another Government property in the neighbourhood, which was used by former Premier Jennifer Smith, will likely be used as the new official residence for the Chief Justice.