Cabinet yesterday which he said was necessary in order to give younger MPs a chance to gain more experience in different areas.

Insisting the Progressive Labour Party was not simply reacting to Premier the Hon. David Saul's recently restructured Cabinet, Mr. Wade said the changes were being considered all along as the party prepared itself for the next election and the year 2000.

Among the changes were Mr. Nelson Bascome moving from Health to Shadow Minister for Youth Development, Sports and Recreation and Mrs. Lois Browne Evans becoming Shadow Minister of Women's Issues and Legislative Affairs.

The Rev. Trevor Woolridge takes over the Shadow Community and Cultural held by Mr. Leon (Jimmy) Williams -- who replaces Mr. Woolridge as Shadow Environment Minister.

Dr. Ewart Brown replaces Ms Renee Webb as Shadow Human Affairs Minister while Ms Webb replaces Mr. Bascome at Health and Social Services.

Mr. Wade said the other portfolios, Technology and Information, Tourism and Marine Affairs, Labour, Home Affairs and Public Safety, Finance, Works, Engineering and Housing, and Transport and Aviation Services, would remain with the same shadow ministers.

Mr. Wade said that Sir John Swan's resignation as Premier and Dr. Saul's new Cabinet gave the PLP a golden opportunity to adjust its Shadow Cabinet.

But the PLP did not simply follow Government's lead.

"(We) have continued to place emphasis on those areas that we, in the PLP, feel are of urgent public importance,'' Mr. Wade explained.

Wade shuffles his Shadow Ministers "We have not followed the Premier... in diluting (his Cabinet).'' He pointed to Ms Jennifer Smith, who remains Deputy Opposition Leadand Shadow Education Minister as an example.

"We have left education separate and apart from anything else,'' Mr. Wade continued, "because we believe the Education portfolio is one that demands and requires the full attention of our shadow minister.

"We intend to operate a very rigorous policy that will guarantee Bermudians the best service they can get from the education authorities.'' Similarly, Mr. Wade said that Human Affairs would be dealt with on its own because race relations, human rights and the war on drugs were going to be important issues in the next few years.

He said Dr. Saul's decision to merge Human Affairs and Education sent a clear signal that he intended to emphasise one or the other.

Said Mr. Wade: "Education and Human Affairs are too important matters to be left under one minister no matter how mighty and how bright that person may be.'' Mr. Wade said his Senate shadow appointments may stay the same but a formal announcement would be made after he has had a chance to see the Government's lineup.