Chief Minister Howard Quayle MHK has raised concerns about how the Manx economy might be affected by Brexit.

The question of the freedom of movement of people and freedom of movement of goods after the UK leaves the EU is still uncertain.

Some 90% of all the king scallops and queenies caught in Manx waters are sold into France, Italy or Spain.

Mr Quayle told the Examiner: ’Selling queenies is a multimillion pound, successful industry.

’We have a well-maintained seabed, we take our conservation seriously, we monitor it and the quality is good.

’We have a good reputation and obviously France, Italy and Spain love it.

’I’ve got to try and get the best deal for our fishermen.’

He was also concerned about our ’really successful aircraft manufacturing part sector in the Isle of Man’.

’The vast majority goes on to the UK or further afield, but some of that which goes to the UK will go into a bigger component part and then go into Europe so there are obviously concerns there,’ he said.

’There’s an awful lot of work constantly going behind the scenes from government to ensure that jobs are protected and businesses are protected in the Isle of Man.’

He spoke to the Examiner before setting off to London yesterday (Monday).

The main focus of the visit was to meet representatives of the Crown Dependencies and the UK Department for Exiting the European Union (DExEU).

Mr Quayle joined Gavin St Pier, his counterpart in Guernsey, and John Le Fondre, Chief Minister of Jersey, for talks with Robin Walker MP, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at DExEU.

The quarterly meetings with DExEU enable the Isle of Man to gain insight into the latest developments regarding Brexit.

The talks included updates on the UK’s future economic partnership with the EU and the discussions around the Customs Union.

The Chief Minister also took the opportunity to highlight the progress of the Isle of Man’s European Union (Withdrawal) Bill, which seeks to make the legislative changes needed to ensure a smooth transition into the island’s new relationship with the EU.

The public consultation on the Bill has ended and the responses are currently being considered ahead of the legislation being introduced into the House of Keys in October.

The Chief Minister said: ’There is great uncertainty about how the political and economic landscape will look after Brexit, so it is useful to spend time on the ground in Whitehall to learn more about current developments.

’The regular meetings with Robin Walker help to strengthen our relationship with those at the very heart of the Brexit process.’

He added: ’We have also been working closely with the UK Department of International Trade to ensure the Isle of Man is able to comply with World Trade Organisation schedules in respect of goods and services following Brexit. This is part of the considerable work taking place to secure the best possible outcome for the island.’

While the Isle of Man has never been in the EU, its relationship with the union is governed by Protocol 3 of the UK’s Treaty of Accession.

That means we have freedom of movement for goods but not services.