Summerland site to feature in question time

The House of Keys is electing a new Deputy Speaker today.

He or she will replace former East Douglas MHK Phil Braidwood who was elevated to the Legislative Council last week.

The Keys has two Bills for first reading, including one from Onchan member Peter Karran on health insurance, and South Douglas MHK Bill Malarkey will guide members through the Organised and International Crime Bill.

There are 22 questions for oral answer and two for written reply, with topics including the redevelopment of the former Summerland site, and the state of the Island's roads after the severe winter.

Mr Karran wants to know what action Tourism Minister Martyn Quayle will take to get the Summerland site ready for use and when it will happen.

He will also ask what policy directive the Department of Health has issued to cut back on benefits, because of problems it has experienced trying to balance its books.

North Douglas MHK John Houghton wants to know what the Department of Transport is doing to address the state of the Island's roads, after weeks of snow and sub zero temperatures, and his colleague Bill Henderson has four questions for the trade and industry minister on the granting of work permits.

Question time from the House of Keys is broadcast live on Manx Radio's AM 1368 service, from 10am.

The Legislative Council is also sitting today, with business including the swearing in of re-elected member Alex Downie.