Office of the Clerk of Tynwald

Overview

Outcome Breakdown

Requests by Year

Top Topics

• Finance & Tax (17 requests)
• Government & Administration (17 requests)
• Other (9 requests)
• Planning & Housing (7 requests)
• Transport & Roads (6 requests)

Notable Cases (22)

[-] MHK and MLC absences 2021 - 2025

2025-07-01 | No information sent - all held but exempt

The request sought a compiled table of authorized and unauthorized absences for MHKs and MLCs from October 2021 to June 2025, including reasons for absence. The authority refused to compile the data, directing the requester to existing public records, and withheld specific reasons for absence citing personal data exemptions.

• The Office of the Clerk of Tynwald is not required to create or derive information by compiling existing records.
• Absence data is already reasonably accessible via Votes and Proceedings and Hansard on the Tynwald website.
• Specific reasons for leave of absence are withheld as they constitute personal data under Section 25 of the Act.

Data: October 2021, 29.06.25, 1 July 2025, 22 July 2025, 4761789

Exemptions: Section 20 (Information already reasonably accessible); Section 25 (Absolutely exempt personal information)

[+] FOI Request - Usher Contracts for Tynwald and Garden Party 2025

2025-06-11 | All information sent

The requester sought standard contracts and terms for ushers at Tynwald Day and the 2025 Garden Party to investigate procedural fairness and termination rights. The Office of the Clerk of Tynwald disclosed a template written statement of terms and a job description, clarifying that new employment laws effective April 2025 necessitated written contracts for casual workers.

• The request covered ushers for Tynwald Day 2025 and the Tynwald Garden Party 2025.
• New employment laws in April 2025 require written statements of employment particulars on day one.
• The authority released a template written statement of terms and conditions and a job description.

Data: 2025-06-11, 2025-07-08, April 2025, 13, 2

[~] People in support/objective of 20mh zones

2025-04-08 | Some information sent but not all held

The requester asked for the number and context of emails received by the Department of Infrastructure Minister supporting or objecting to 20mph zones. The authority responded that some information was sent but not all was held, providing correspondence regarding the implementation process and consultation rather than a statistical count of public emails.

• The request targeted emails sent to Michelle.Haywood@gov.im regarding 20mph zones.
• The outcome was 'Some information sent but not all held'.
• Correspondence reveals dissatisfaction from MHK Rob Callister regarding the lack of a comprehensive list of proposed changes.

Data: 20mph, April and June 2023, 2021, 26 March 2025, 19th March

[+] List of Freemasons holding Tynwald roles

2025-04-01 | All information sent

The request sought lists of Chief Ministers, Speakers, Presidents of Tynwald, and Chairmen of the Executive Council who were Freemasons. The authority disclosed three individuals who declared Freemasonry interests since October 2011 but noted that information regarding the Chairman of the Executive Council prior to 2011 is outside the scope of the Freedom of Information Act.

• Juan Watterson (Speaker of the House) declared membership in the United Grand Lodge of England, Rushen Lodge, and Tynwald Chapter.
• Geoff Corkish (Deputy Speaker) declared an interest in Freemasonry between October 2011 and March 2013.
• Leonard Singer (Deputy Speaker) declared membership in Lezayre Lodge between March 2013 and 2016.

Data: 11 October 2011, 27th September 2016, 25th October 2011, 26th March 2013, 2016

Exemptions: Freedom of Information Act applies only to information created on or after 11 October 2011

[~] Memo

2025-03-18 | Not required to fulfill request

The requester asked for the upload date of a memo regarding a £20 million supplementary vote for the Department of Health & Social Care. The Office of the Clerk of Tynwald refused to disclose the date, citing an exemption because the information is held for future publication.

• The request was received on 18 March 2025 and closed on 24 April 2025.
• The information was withheld under section 41 of the Freedom of Information Act.
• The memo concerns a supplementary vote for the Department of Health & Social Care for 2024-25.

Data: £20 million, 2024-25, 18 March 2025, 22 April 2025, 24 April 2025

Exemptions: Section 41 of the Freedom of Information Act (information held with a view to future publication)

[~] Coronavirus Regulations

2024-08-05 | Some information sent but not all held

A request for specific dates, definitions, and procedural details regarding the Isle of Man's Coronavirus Regulations was partially refused because the Clerk of Tynwald does not hold the information or it is reasonably accessible elsewhere. The authority cited Section 20 and Section 11 exemptions, directing the requester to external resources like the Independent Covid Review Report and Tynwald's website.

• The Clerk of Tynwald does not hold information regarding the definitions of lockdowns or circuit breakers.
• Questions about specific dates and amendment procedures were refused under Section 20 as the information is reasonably accessible to the public.
• The authority applied a Section 11 research exemption for questions requiring the creation or analysis of information.

Data: 2024-08-05, 2024-09-02, 4035649, Section 20, Section 11

Exemptions: Section 20 (Information reasonably accessible); Section 11 (Research exemption); Section 8(3) (Creation, analysis, or compilation of information)

[-] Evidence to Tynwald Standards Committee

2023-04-27 | No information sent - all held but exempt

The requester sought evidence submitted by four specific Members of Tynwald to the Standards Committee regarding an investigation announced by Chief Minister Alfred Cannan. The Office of the Clerk of Tynwald refused to disclose the information, citing an exemption to protect the privileges of Tynwald, though they listed some related documents available in a public report.

• The request was made to the Office of the Clerk of Tynwald on 2023-04-27.
• The response was issued on 2023-05-24 with the outcome 'No information sent - all held but exempt'.
• The request targeted evidence from MHKs Rob Callister, Joney Faragher, Michelle Haywood, and MLC Tanya August-Hanson.

Data: 3086865, 2023-04-27, 2023-05-24, 15 November 2022, 17th November 2022

Exemptions: Section 22 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 (Privileges of Tynwald)

[-] Declaration of conflict of interest

2022-08-23 | No information sent - all held but exempt

A request was made to determine if MHK Andrew Smith declared a conflict of interest regarding a 2021 gas price vote and if any investigation occurred into an undeclared conflict. The Office of the Clerk of Tynwald withheld all information, citing that voting records are publicly accessible via Hansard and that investigating a member's conduct falls under parliamentary privilege.

• The request concerns Andrew Smith, MHK, and a vote on gas price increases in October 2021.
• The authority stated that information on declarations of interest is accessible by other means, specifically via the Tynwald website and Hansard.
• The authority refused to confirm or deny if an investigation into an undeclared conflict exists due to parliamentary privilege.

Data: 2598157, 2022-08-23, 2022-09-16, October 2021, 19th October 2021

Exemptions: Section 20(2)(b) of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 (Information accessible to applicant by other means); Section 22(1)(a)(i) of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 (Parliamentary privilege and business)

[~] Costings of the Tynwald ceremony

2022-07-07 | Not required to fulfill request

The requester asked for fully audited yearly costs of the Tynwald Day Ceremony for the past 10 years, but the Office of the Clerk of Tynwald refused to disclose the information immediately under a qualified exemption, committing instead to publish the data on their website by September 2022.

• The Office of the Clerk of Tynwald does not hold 'fully audited' records as audits are part of the wider Isle of Man Government financial accounts.
• A qualified exemption under section 41 of the Freedom of Information Act was applied because the information is held for future publication.
• The authority committed to publishing income and expenditure data for Tynwald Day annually starting with this request.

Data: 2525841, 2022-07-07, 2022-08-02, Friday 9th September 2022, past 10 years

Exemptions: Section 41 of the Freedom of Information Act (Information held with a view to publication)

[-] Emoluments MHK's resettlement grant.

2022-03-11 | No information sent - all held but exempt

The requester asked for emails and correspondence regarding the Members' resettlement grant sent to the Cochrane and Emoluments committees. The Office of the Clerk of Tynwald refused to disclose any information, citing an absolute exemption to protect the privileges of Tynwald and the privacy of committee correspondence.

• The request was received on 2022-03-11 and responded to on 2022-03-25.
• The authority handling the request is the Office of the Clerk of Tynwald.
• All requested information was withheld under an absolute exemption.

Data: 2324853, 2022-03-11, 2022-03-25, 23 March 2022, 11th March 2022

Exemptions: Section 22(1)(a)(i) of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 (Privileges of Tynwald)

[~] Briefings to Tynwald members

2022-03-02 | Upheld - full

The requester asked for details on briefings held for Tynwald members since September 2021, but the Office of the Clerk of Tynwald refused to disclose any information citing an exemption to protect parliamentary privilege and member confidentiality.

• The request was received on 2022-03-02 and the final outcome was upheld on 2022-04-29.
• The authority refused to provide any briefing details, stating all requested information is absolutely exempt.
• The exemption relies on Section 22(1)(a)(i) of the Freedom of Information Act 2015.

Data: 2022-03-02, 2022-04-29, 2303135, September 23, 2021, Section 22(1)(a)(i)

Exemptions: Section 22(1)(a)(i) of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 (Privileges of Tynwald/Confidentiality)

[~] conflict registers

2021-06-02 | Some information sent but not all held

The request sought details on conflict registers, training compliance, and risk management failures at the Office of the Clerk of Tynwald. The authority disclosed the timeline of register implementation and training requirements but could not provide specific pass/fail status for individual managers or confirm the absence of a corporate risk register.

• A Conflicts Register was introduced in May 2019 under Isle of Man Government Financial Regulation A 2.4.
• Mandatory financial training includes the 'Financial Governance Foundation Course' and 'General Procurement' module via eLearn Vannin.
• Training deadlines were set for 30th June 2019 with a requirement to repeat every three years.

Data: May 2019, 29th May 2019, 6th August 2015, April 2007, 30th June 2019

Exemptions: Information not held or cannot be found after taking reasonable steps

[~] DHSC Request Ref:1538749

2021-02-22 | Information not held

The requester asked the Office of the Clerk of Tynwald to provide a copy of a document allegedly destroyed by a Minister or to investigate its destruction under the FOI Act. The authority responded that the information is not held as the document was received at the Minister's private home and never entered the official office records.

• The request concerns a document originally sent to the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) regarding government matters.
• The DHSC previously advised the requester to contact the Clerk of Tynwald after claiming the document was personal.
• The Minister received the letter at his home address on Thursday 29 October 2020.

Data: 1680589, 1538749, 2021-02-22, 2021-03-09, 26 February 2021

Exemptions: Information not held

[+] internships

2021-01-04 | All information sent

The request sought all documentation regarding the development of internship policies and strategies at the Office of the Clerk of Tynwald, specifically focusing on a 2014 trial. The authority responded by disclosing 293 pages across two documents containing emails, meeting minutes, and proposals detailing the creation of a cost-neutral trainee position.

• The Tynwald Management Committee agreed to replace a staff member going part-time with a full-time trainee on a cost-neutral basis.
• A proposal was made in November 2013 to fund a one-year intern/trainee post using the remaining salary budget from a reduced contract.
• The intern was intended to rotate through various departments including CIS, TAO, and Hansard to gain broad experience.

Data: 2021-01-04, 2021-01-29, 2013-11-09, 2013-12-16, 2014-02-24

[~] online services

2020-12-30 | Some information sent but not all held

The request sought details on Tynwald building closures during the pandemic, the strategic importance of online services, and 36 months of website statistics for Hansard and legislation. The authority provided monthly website usage data from November 2017 to December 2020 and internal emails regarding missing legislative documents, but did not fully address the qualitative assessment of the digitization effort or specific physical visitor statistics.

• The Office of the Clerk of Tynwald released 65 pages across 3 documents in response to the request.
• Website statistics were provided for a 36-month period from November 2017 to December 2020.
• Internal emails from June 2017 discuss missing Government Circulars and Secondary Legislation instruments.

Data: 2020-12-30, 2021-01-26, 65 pages, 3 documents, November 2017

Most Cited Exemptions

See Also

• Transparency Scorecard
• Outcome Trends