The Progressive Labour Party MP for Warwick South East has been sworn in as the temporary Minister of Tourism and Transport.

Lawrence Scott was appointed to head the ministry at Government House on Friday and will hold the post for ten days while Zane DeSilva is overseas.

David Burt, the Premier, said: “The Constitution of Bermuda allows the Premier to appoint a person who is a member of the House of Assembly or the Senate as a temporary minister to act in the case of when a substantive minister is away from Bermuda.

“This constitutional provision is not new; however, given the size of our parliamentary majority, I’ve decided to use this as an opportunity to allow members of the legislature to develop professionally when a minister is travelling for a long term.”

Neville Tyrell, a Progressive Labour Party backbencher, was sworn in as temporary Minister of Health last August while the full-time minister, Kim Wilson, was overseas.