Tynwald is standing firm in its opposition to people being forced to carry passports when they travel between the Isle of Man and the United Kingdom.

The UK parliament is currently considering a bill which could have implications for the so called Common Travel Area, in which the Island is located.

While the clause which could make carrying passports compulsory was removed in the House of Lords, it's likely to be re-inserted during its passage through the Commons.

The Manx government has secured a memorandum of understanding which would mean the status quo would be maintained for the Island if the clause was re-introduced, and the bill approved.

But many Tynwald members are worried that any protection offered by a piece of paper would be flimsy at best.

Speaker of the House of Keys Steve Rodan is a member of the committee which has been considering the issue.

He says, despite the understanding that's in place, there could be repercussions for the Island in the future if clause 48 was reintroduced.

Mr Rodan told Manx Radio:

"Once you start down this road, a future government in the UK could bring in the law to apply travel documents to be required between the Isle of Man and the UK, and that's what we must avoid."

The bill will be given its second reading in the House of Commons early next month.