Over ?3 million has been paid to consultants and outside contractors in relation to functions of the Department of Community, Culture and Leisure in the past two years.

The information is included in a written reply to a Tynwald question from North Douglas MHK Bill Henderson, who tabled no fewer than 23 related items, for answer by Chief Minister Tony Brown and Leisure Minister David Cretney at this week's sitting.

Many of the questions covered staffing and financial issues at the department, which has said it may have to lay off up to 22 maintenance workers to balance its books.

In a breakdown of the ?3.1 million expenditure, by far the biggest sum referred to by Mr Cretney is ?2.1 million, paid to 16 contractors in the period for capital and minor capital projects.

Just under half a million pounds went to eight consultants for the same purpose, with just over half a million paid to ten contractors in a column marked 'other'.

The majority of the schemes under which money was paid to consultants were in relation to the vintage railway systems.

They included MER and Snaefell Mountain Railway track renewals, work on Laxey bridge and station, and overhead line inspections.

No breakdown is given of what the 16 contractors provided for the ?2.1 million.