The government should put its housing policies to the test by seeking Tynwald endorsement.

That’s the view of Lawrie Hooper (LibVannin, Ramsey) who said that when the housing strategy was last endorsed by Tynwald - in 2013 - the minister at the time, Chris Robertshaw, said the endorsement should run for five years.

Infrastructure Minister Ray Harmer, who helms the department now responsible for housing policy, told Tynwald that he was focussed on delivering the current strategy, rather than producing a ’whole new’ one.

But Mr Hooper accused Mr Harmer of missing the point.

’I am not asking him if he is going to be going back to square one, back to ground zero and starting again,’ he said.

’Currently his department does not have a Tynwald-approved national housing policy or national housing strategy.’

Mr Hooper said he accepted the minister believed the current strategy was excellent and still worked.

’If that is the case, why does the department not bring a refreshed version of this document in front of Tynwald and make that case, that this should be our continued housing policy for the next five years?’

Mr Harmer said it would not be a case of the policies expiring after five years.

’Obviously we will consider at the appropriate time to update, whether that is a statement or whether it is an update of policy,’ he said.

Earlier, the minister said the housing recommendations were reviewed for the 2016 Programme for Government and he gave an update on that last year, adding he would be happy to do so again.