The UK is set to change Bermuda's Constitution to redraw the political map of the Island.

The authors of a major report into the governing of Bermuda strongly hinted that action would be taken to slash the number of MPs from the current 40 and create new, more evenly-sized, single-seat constituencies.

The report drawn up by UK experts from Britain's Civil Service College said that Bermuda did appear to be "overgoverned''.

It added: "The issue of the number of MPs is a constitutional one and not within the scope of this review.

"However, the need to reduce the number of MPs by moving to single-seat constituencies and a more equitable distribution of MPs based on numbers of voters seems to us to be incontrovertible.'' And the report said: "We understand that in pressing for this constitutional change Bermuda would be very much pushing at an open door and that the opportunity to effect this change by means of UK legislation may emerge very soon.'' The news came as it was revealed that Bermuda's Cabinet could be slashed from 13 part-time Ministers to just eight -- all full time.

The report said: "The organisation and distribution of Ministerial portfolios is, however, not governed by the Constitution... It is this issue which most concerns us and also concerned most of the people we consulted, whether they were politicians, civil servants or from outside Government.'' The changes would mean the stand-alone Tourism portfolio -- at present run by David Allen -- would take both Transport and Telecommunications under its wing to create a new super Ministry.

But the UK authors of a major report said fewer and larger Ministries would have to be run by full-time Ministers -- a move away from the 13 part-timers currently holding portfolios.

The report, leaked to The Royal Gazette , said: "Included in a new Tourism, Transport and Telecommunications Ministry -- if proposals made by UK experts are adopted -- would be civil aviation, the airport, marine and ports, transport control and overall responsibility for telephones, e-commerce and other communications.'' The Home Affairs and Public Safety Ministry, headed by Paula Cox, would be boosted with the inclusion of the Small Business Development Corporation and the Human Rights Commission, both stripped from what would become the redundant Development and Opportunity Ministry, run by Terry Lister.

The Environment Ministry -- led by Arthur Hodgson -- would take over the Bermuda Land Development Corporation and the West End Development Corporation, both also from Mr. Lister's portfolio, as well as responsibility for the golf courses.

The Works and Engineering Ministry, headed at the moment by Alex Scott, would also disappear, with Environment taking over public works.

Parks would also be part of the Environment portfolio, ending Dennis Lister's Youth and Sport Ministry.

The youth element would come under the new Education, Training and Youth Affairs Ministry, which would also take over full responsibility for Bermuda College.

And a new-style Health and Welfare Ministry -- at present Health and Social Services under Nelson Bascome -- would run not only the hospitals, but sport and recreation, housing and the National Drug Commission.

The report said the changes need not cost any more cash -- because the cost of full-time Ministers would be offset by the reduction in numbers by nearly half.

And it added: "We feel strongly that the expectation that Ministers can effectively run their Ministries on a part-time basis is unfair to them since many are in practice working full time already.

"In instances where Ministers are still trying to hold down another job it was clear that the arrangement was, through nobody's fault, not working.'' The report also pointed out that lack of availability of Ministers -- already setting aside two days for Cabinet and House of Assembly meetings -- meant delays in getting attention for urgent matters.

It said: "The time available to manage Ministries is therefore already limited.

"In addition, the increasing complexity of Government and the demands of democratic accountability to the Legislature have clearly grown over the years.'' HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY HOA