Veteran Progressive Labour Party MP Walter Lister yesterday joined the Cabinet as a Minister without Portfolio after a brief swearing in ceremony at Government House.

Premier Alex Scott described Mr. Lister as a ?marathon man? who had worked hard behind the scenes since joining the PLP in 1973 and demonstrated the ?depth of his ability?.

?He is recognised as a man of character. He is successful and he does not push for the limelight,? Mr. Scott said. ?He is knowledgeable and he is well trained and he is as skilled as any parliamentarian.

?That is what Cabinet requires at this time. The expectations of the public on the Cabinet is high and we accept that responsibility and to meet that responsibility we have turned to Mr. Lister.?

Mr. Lister joked that his appointment was a result of his wife asking the Premier to give him a part-time job because he had some spare time on his hands.

He said was initially reluctant but he accepted the offer because he was keen to serve the country in a different capacity.

?It?s a step up in my political career and I can better focus on wherever he (the Premier) decides to send me on that specific issue as opposed to being on the backbench where you tend to generalise.?

He would not be drawn on what specific portfolio he was interested in. ?Having had the opportunity to do so many things for so many years I would just do anything to help and advance the cause of the country.?

Asked whether he was not going against the PLP?s goal of making the Cabinet smaller, Premier Scott said that it had not gotten any larger, adding: ?I lost one earlier and I have just taken one back.?

The resignation of Renee Webb from the Tourism and Telecommunications portfolios led to a mini Cabinet shuffle which resulted in Deputy Premier Ewart Brown taking on responsibility for both Transport and Tourism. Mr. Scott indicated that Mr. Lister could be handed a substantive portfolio shortly, saying that he may only be without a portfolio for ?just a little while?.

?He has the background and ability to take on any job even the one of the person speaking now.?