MHK says travelling abroad for business is worth the cost

Wed, 11 Mar 2015

If the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association can send members across the world on trips - so can Tynwald.

That's according to Health and Social Care Minister Howard Quayle in light of his impending two-week trip to New Zealand which has raised eyebrows.

The CPA is the means of regular consultation between members of the Commonwealth parliaments.

According to the Speaker of the House of Keys, Steve Rodan, the organisation spent £9,550 on delegate trips last year.

It spent a further £34,854 on travel expenses in 2013 and £25,230 in 2012.

However the organisation brings in around £20,000 a year from the sale of Hansard voice recognition software.

Mr Rodan explains why the cost of travelling abroad is worth the cash: