Extra House of Keys sittings to fit in business

Member of the House of Keys have been given notice of plans to sit for three extra days

The House of Keys will sit for three additional days ahead of the summer recess of the parliament, the Speaker has said.

Juan Watterson said he was aware of "some concern" the business currently before the House would not be completed by the end of the parliamentary session in July.

He said after receiving a letter signed by more than the required eight MHKs, the 25 June sitting would be extended by a day, and extra sessions held on 9 and 23 July.

Business currently on the agenda includes the continued consideration of the clauses of the Assisted Dying Bill 2023.

Along with 20 questions for oral answer, items listed on the latest order paper include the first reading of the Town and Country Planning (Amendment) Bill and the clauses stage of Public Sector Payments Bill.

A bid for leave to introduce a private member's bill that would ban those born after 2007 from buying tobacco products and another on referenda, and reports proposing changes to the process of electing the chief minister and Legislative Council are also due for discussion.

Juan Watterson urged MHKs putting forward procedural motions to get advice from the clerk

Mr Watterson said MHKs had now been given "notice" that the additional sittings would take place.

He said if "as seems likely" the items listed were not completed during the last scheduled sitting on 25 June, members sit the following day - the first two-day sitting in 18 years - and for two sessions in July.

Mr Watterson said while the discretionary move was "not without controversy", he had "received this request from significant numbers of members".

He said allowing as much notice as possible would "permit members the opportunity to take political temperatures" and procedural advice needed should they "wish to take a different path".

He urged those intending to put forward a "procedural motion" in relation to the decision to inform him and take advice from the clerk to "prevent any unwelcome surprises".