Commissioners in Michael have asked President of Tynwald Noel Cringle if their chairman can appear at the Bar of the Court - a request which has been granted subject to members' approval.

They want to explain how the spending of ?1.65 million to replace the surgery and health centre in Jurby will have what they describe as 'a major adverse affect on the provision of healthcare for residents of Kirk Michael'.

The commissioners believe that two 'fit for purpose' surgeries could be built for the same cost, rather than what they see as over provision in Jurby and nothing in Michael.

They are pointing out that at the 2006 census the population of the Kirk Michael was 1,640 compared with 1,042 in Ballaugh and 659 in Jurby.

Since then the number of people living in their village has grown significantly, while the figure for Jurby has remained static.

In addition, building works have already started in Michael which could increase the population of the village to over 2,000 which would make it as large as Laxey, where there is a well established local healthcare facility.

The commissioners believe the proposed Jurby facility is excessively large, and two smaller medical centres would much better meet the medical needs of the whole northwest area

The commissioners are asking Tynwald to support an adjournment of a motion relating to the Jurby scheme, and replace it at a future date with a motion for two 'fit for purpose' surgeries, one at Jurby and one at Kirk Michael.