There are currently no plans to merge the Department of Tourism and Leisure with the Department of Trade and Industry.

In the House of Keys today, North Douglas MHK Bill Henderson suggested it would save money, and the replacement of a new chief executive for the DTL should be postponed.

Minister for the DTL Martyn Quayle (pictured) said a possible future amalgamation hadn't been ruled out, but he made it clear that a full-time replacement for Carol Glover would be found.

He told members:

"A chief executive will be appointed, taking all the criteria into account that have been advertised.

"But of course, we are well aware that there is the director of tourism, who has professional qualifications, (and) there are a lot of staff in that tourism sector, within the department, that have the professional qualifications, so it does not necessarily follow that you need a chief executive fully focused on the tourism aspect, providing he or she can meet all the criteria within the job that has been advertsied for.

"That department needs a full-time chief executive at the earliest opportunity, but it does allow me to publicly thank, and express my appreciation to the acting chief executive, Colin Kniveton."