New legisalation which would put the Chief Minister in charge of the Isle of Man's civil servants has been published in a draft form.

It's being promoted by the Council of Ministers, and is in line with Tony Brown's policy statement to Tynwald in December, in which he said reforming the Civil Service Commission required urgent attention.

The Commission, which employs all the Island's civil servants, currently comprises a member of Tynwald as chairman, one lay member and the Chief Secretary.

The Bill would allow for a new line-up, with two members of Tynwald as chairman and vice chairman, and three lay members who would be neither MHKs, MLCs or civil servants.

All would be appointed by the Chief Minister, and would hold office at his pleasure.

The new-look Commission would have to provide an annual report for Tynwald.

(Picture: The Legislative Buildings, with Central Government Offices, where many of the Island's civil servants are based, to the left. Image from manxscenes.com).