Progressive Labour Party backbencher Patrice Minors has been appointed the new chair of the Board of Immigration.

Mrs. Minors — who turned down a Cabinet position shortly after seeing off former Opposition leader Michael Dunkley's bid to pinch her Smith's North seat at last month's General Election — replaces PLP veteran Reginald Burrows.

Last night, she told The Royal Gazette she was confident her new duties would not impact on her commitments to her family and her constituents.

So far, the only statutory Government boards to be announced in the Official Gazette are from the Ministry of Labour, Home Affairs and Housing, and the Ministry of Finance.

Usually, all boards are announced in early January, but a Government spokeswoman said the election had caused a delay, with the rest likely to be announced over the coming weeks.

Other new appointments include Philip Perinchief as deputy chair of the Appeal Tribunal (Investment Business Act 2003). Mr. Perinchief replaces Senator Kim Wilson — who last month took Mr. Perinchief's job as Attorney General in Premier Ewart Brown's reshuffled Cabinet.

Meanwhile, Francis Mussenden replaces Herman Tucker as chair of the National Training Board, and Kim Tucker takes over from Major Glenn Brangman as deputy chair of Bermuda Housing Corporation.

Former Health Minister Mrs. Minors told this newspaper she had been asked to head up the Board of Immigration by new Immigration Minister David Burch.

"He knows me and knows the commitment I have for getting things done. I welcome the opportunity and I'm looking forward to it," she said.

Mrs. Minors declined to specify any challenges she will face in the post, but added: "It's going to be quite new to me and I'm looking forward to my first meeting."