That was the announcement given at the start of June Tynwald but no celebrations yet, as before the public can make use of it, an Appointed Day Order is required. So watch out for that!

Also remember to start with FOI requests can only be submitted to DEFA and The Cabinet Office.

In the meantime to find out information from the rest of government we must resort to the 1996 Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

That's what one PAG member has recently done to the Department of Infrastructure - here it is:

Over the last week Positive Action Group sent out a questionnaire to all candidates standing in the Douglas North and Douglas South byelections.

The intention was to survey candidates views in a manner that allows voters to easily compare against their own opinions - as good as Manifestos sometimes are, they are rather difficult to compare side by side.

To make the questionnaries as simple to complete as possible they feature a series of straightforward statements against for which the candidates may select one of six preset responses:

• Strongly Agree
• Agree
• Neutral
• Disagree
• Strongly Disagree
• Don't Know

Click here for the report on Douglas South candidates

Click here for the report on Douglas North candidates

Meet the Minister (2) 

'Keeping Fit for a Purpose'

Presentation

Thank you to our speakers and the many that attended last night. We would appreciate your comments below or on our facebook page.

Attachments:

File	File size	Downloads
PAG HSC Fit for Purpose presentation 18 May 2015 PDF version	6129 Kb	1200
PAG HSC Fit for Purpose presentation 18 May 2015 Powerpoint version	13555 Kb	816

Standing:

Kurt Buchholz (Ind)
Amy Burns (Ind)
Keith Fitton (Libvan)
Bill Malarkey (Ind)

Summary

I think the most interesting areas for voters are where candidates opinions differed considerably, so these have been included within the summary. Full details
are provided as an attachment.

GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE
All except Bill agreed that the number of Departmental Members ought to be reduced.

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION
Only Bill felt that the forthcoming FoI Act will enable government transparency. Kurt, Keith and Amy did not.

PINEWOOD STUDIOS
Only Bill felt that Pinewood was a reasonable government investment. Kurt, Keith and Amy did not.

GOVERNMENT PENSIONS
Only Kurt felt that the government should continue with a final salary pension scheme.

BENEFITS
Bill feels that Benefits are too generous, Kurt, Amy and Keith do not. Similarly Bill would also support introduction of a UK-style Benefits Cap, the 
other candidates not.

TOILET TAX
Amy, Keith amd Kurt strongly disagreed with the statement that the 'Toilet Tax' as fair and does not require reform or removal. Bill was neutral.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Keith and Bill feel that the Island is well set to take advantage of emerging economic and technological develpments. Amy and Kurt do not.

SELF-SUFFICIENCY
Amy felt the Island should be self sufficent in food, Keith disagreed, Kurt didn't know, and Bill was neutral.

WORK PERMITS
Kurt does not think that the government need to 'tighten up' on Work permits, the other candidates do.

UK RELATIONS
When asked whether we should be more independent of the UK, all candiates except Keith agreed. Keith was neutral.

HEALTH
Kurt does not feel the GP service is adequate, Bill believes it is. Amy and Keith were neutral. All agree that the government Dentistry service is
inadequate and that Nobles is not peforming as well as we should expect.

SOCIAL CARE
Amy and Bill feel that social care is not adequare or fir for purpose, Keith and Kurt were neutral.

HOUSING
All agree that we do not have enough housing stock and all but Amy are against the sale of stock - Amy was neutral. They all agree that any
'Landlord and Tenant' Act should apply equally to the private and public sector.

Attachments:

File	File size	Downloads
PAG byelection questionnaire for Douglas South	211 Kb	1396