SPC and sale of Shoprite stores to dominate Tynwald

30 questions tabled for first sitting after summer recess

Urgent questions about the implications of the sale of Shoprite to Tesco will be raised in Tynwald today.

The chief minister has been asked to answer queries raised by his political colleagues following the announcement that the retailing giant is taking over all nine Manx stores.

Alfred Cannan will be asked what assurances government is seeking in relation to the continued use of local suppliers, when it was first informed of the merger and why Competition Act rules were not in place.

He’ll also be quizzed about any assessment government has made on the impact on jobs, and small businesses.

There are 30 questions tabled for oral answer in today’s sitting (17 October) – the first since the summer recess ended.

Eleven questions have been tabled about the Steam Packet Company – many of which centre around an ongoing dispute over working conditions.

Other subjects on the order paper include a progress report on the development of Castle Rushen High School, menopause initiatives and the Relationships and Sex Education Curriculum.

Arbory, Castletown and Malew MHK Jason Moorhouse has also tabled four questions about homelessness.

He wants to know how many people have had to stay in police cells in the las year because they had no fixed address, how often the issue is raised in court and figures from a homeless helpline.

Tynwald starts at 10am – you can find the question paper HERE and listen live HERE.