Tuesday's Keys 24th June 2008 - Part 1

Members appeared to be in something of a ‘playground’ mood as there was a lot of banter between Members, some of it acrimonious; and at times the Speaker, Lonan MHK, Steve Rodan appeared somewhat exasperated and at a bit of a loss as to how to get the Members to behave.

Perhaps the excitement, and anticipation, of the Speaker’s Lunch later that day was too much for some to be able to control their child-like tendencies.

The fun began as early as Question 2 - a question from Santon MHK, Graham Cregeen regarding agreements between the Government and Jackson Homes (Southern) Ltd in respect of a propose development at Crossags Farm, Ballasalla - when DLGE Minister, John Shimmin responded to a supplementary question from Onchan MHK, Peter Karran.

Mr Shimmin took exception to Mr Karran’s implicit criticism of the agreement, and sarcastically congratulated Mr Karran on his negativity towards the proposed development.

He extended the same warm ‘welcome’ to the other DLGE ‘thorn-in-the side’, Onchan MHK, David Quirk for joining in with the series of questioning; and for trying to widen the issue beyond the subject matter of the question.

Mr Shimmin tried to make the disgruntled Mr Karran, Mr Cregeen and Mr Quirk accept that the deal had been checked by the Attorney General and he was satisfied that the public interest was safeguarded if the development, as proposed, does not proceed.

Mr Shimmin also declined to give a full response to all the issues; stating a court case is still pending and that some of the agreements were too complicated to go into detail during ‘Question Time’.

Question 3, from Rushen MHK, Juan Watterson to DAFF Minister, Phil Gawne drew the response that no new initiatives are planned following his trip to the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association meeting in Gibraltar.

However, Mr Gawne stated that he now felt more able to deal with the issues raised at the conference.

Mr Karran wondered why Mr Watterson had asked the question and if the £250,000 spent on the CPA trips etc, over the last three years, represented value for money; and offered any benefits towards the functioning of our parliament.

Mr Gawne was a trifle bemused by the question and said he didn’t understand the motive for it; but he thought that the expense was worth it.

The Manx Herald has been told that, over the years, Mr Karran has probably been on more CPA trips than most Members; so perhaps he was asking the wrong person.

Mr Gawne has also responded to the suggestion that some of the seminars/conferences could be conducted by video links, to reduce travel and CO₂ emissions, by saying he is actively promoting the introduction of a ‘carbon-offset’ scheme to cover all government and parliamentary trips abroad.

During Question 4, on live animal exports and the viability of the meat plant, Mr Karran amusingly managed to link the question to the Home Affairs department. To the hilarity of Members - responding to a reply from Mr Gawne, who said he is satisfied with the accuracy of the export numbers, unless people are smuggling cattle off the Island - he congratulated the Minister on having more success in preventing cattle from being smuggled off the Island than the DHA is in preventing people smuggling drugs into the Island.

Mr Rodan stepped in during the continuing question to say he did not want the questioning widening beyond the subject of the original question; and that whilst some of the questions were lengthy he hoped the answers would not be.

A jocular Mr Gawne, implying he was happy to give lengthy answers, informed the Speaker that it is “a topic I warm to”; and then to much laughter from other Members said he had, momentarily, forgotten the question. Once he had composed himself, he launched into his response then, minded of the Speaker’s direction, came to an abrupt halt saying, “I think I have said enough.”

Question 5, in respect of care for the elderly, kicked off some of the more bitter and caustic exchanges between the DHSS Minister, Eddie Teare and opponents; mostly Douglas MHKs.

Members hounded the Minister by suggesting he has plans to close down all the public sector old peoples’ homes. Mr Teare maintained it is all nonsense; and in reply to a supplementary question from East Douglas MHK, Brenda Cannell on optimum levels, perhaps unwisely, said how long is a piece of string.

Mrs Cannell immediately rebuked the Minister for not having a policy and “running his department using a piece of string”.

A defensive Mr Teare claimed that the department was responding to the current needs of the community and - in response to a question from North Douglas MHK, John Houghton - said that his North Douglas colleague (Bill Henderson) had claimed there is a need for respite care. He pointedly added, “I am sure he would not have misled the House.”

Mr Karran asserted, whilst applauding the proposal for more care in the community, that the Minister’s policy would rob one needy group to provide for another needy group; and quoted one of his well rehearsed phrases that “it would hit the weak, the sick and the poor”.

To interjections from Mr Karran, Mr Teare denied this would be the case.

Judging by the reaction of several Members, during the questioning, they will clearly take some persuading that the Minister’s initiative is the correct one.

The next question, from John Houghton regarding an anticipated report on the health effects of mobile telephone masks, also created friction between Mr Teare and Members.

Mr Teare said the Committee had concluded their work and a report would be submitted to COMIN soon.

Mr Houghton asked if the report had made it on to Mr Teare’s desk yet; but he flippantly replied he kept a “clear desk”.

Mr Quirk wanted to know how often the committee, preparing the report, had met and who gave evidence; but Mr Teare said he would rely on his first answer.

Mrs Cannell took umbrage at Mr Teare’s reluctance to give the House the answers she expected him to give; but the Speaker reminded Members that it was for the person answering to decide how they responded.

Mr Teare replied that it is a thorough report.

Mr Hougton interjected, “but have you seen the report?”

Mr Rodan’s patience finally gave out and he reminded Members that questions should be posed through the Chair and not just shouted out across the floor.

By the end of Question 7 the one hour allotted for ‘Question Time’ had passed and South Douglas MHK, Bill Malarky, who had the next question down, asked for a suspension of standing orders to allow the remaining oral questions to be answered.