A mini-Cabinet shake-up has been denounced as Government by stealth by the Opposition's John Barritt after the PLP refused to explain the changes.

The move concentrates more power in the Premier's hands as it strips responsibility from Terry Lister while there's a switching of tasks between other ministers.

The changes were announced in the Official Gazette, published in the Bermuda Sun, on Friday but Government have stayed silent on why the changes were made.

The United Bermuda Party's Legislative Affairs spokesman John Barritt said: "While it is within the constitutional power of the Premier to re-organise Cabinet portfolios, what strikes us -- and I am sure members of the public as well -- is that it is done without prior explanation or even comment from the Premier.

"Surely there can be no doubt that the changes warrant at least explanation.'' Mr. Barritt said the Premier was concentrating power in the Cabinet Office taking in Management, Personnel and Government Information Services.

And he attacked Government for keeping a lid on the Civil Service review which could see the number of ministers being reduced.

And Mr. Barritt said: "We can only suppose that the Premier and her Government take the view that it isn't anybody's business but theirs when it comes to organising and re-organising how the civil service operates.'' "We in the Opposition disagree. Half of every dollar paid by the taxpayers of this country funds civil service salaries. Taxpayers are the customers and clients of the civil service.'' "From all we in the Opposition hear, these changes may be just the tip of the iceberg and that there are some further major changes to come.

"One of them is the reduction in Ministers and Cabinet Ministers that was reported in the Civil Service Review.

"The Review, its recommendations and the Government's position on those recommendations ought to be shared with the public, the stakeholders of this country and be capable of standing up in the sunshine of public scrutiny.

"Why the secrecy if it is all above board and simply a means to make our government more efficient? "But the way in which the Premier and her Government are going about this so-called reform of the civil service is not healthy but stealthy.'' Mr. Barritt added: "We are concerned as to the real agenda and whether the concentration of power will lead to politicisation of the civil service and become a means to ensure that those who serve and who are appointed are not politically neutral or independent but are pro-PLP if not card-carrying supporters.

"It will be a sorry day if this turns out to be the case. The provision of Government services, and those who provide them should not be governed by whether you are or are not an avowed member of the party in power.'' The Royal Gazette tried to contact the Premier through a variety of channels on Friday and on Sunday but the calls were unanswered.

The changes are: Cabinet Office takes over a range of responsibilities from a stripped-down Ministry of Development and Opportunity, held by Terry Lister.

Mr. Lister will lose personnel services, management services and the Government press office, while statistics and archives will be taken out of the Education Ministry.

Arthur Hodgson's Environment Ministry is to expand with the addition of Parks which was under Youth and Sport and the Railway Trail which will be taken out of Alex Scott's Works and Engineering Ministry.

John Barritt