Health Minister David Ashford will be quizzed today on what has happened to his promised ’point-by-point’ rebuttal of claims made by Dr Rachel Glover earlier this year.

Dr Glover, who was instrumental in setting up the island’s Covid testing lab last year, accused the Department of Health and Social Care of intellectual property theft and setting out to discredit her, among a string of allegations given to a Tynwald committee.

Mr Ashford promised a ’point-by-point rebuttal’ of the claims. That was early in April and he said the rebuttal would be in ’the coming days’.

Recently, there appeared to have been something of a détente between Dr Glover and the government, exemplified by her appointment to the Emergency Advisory Group.

So no doubt both sides will welcome the question tabled by Julie Edge (Onchan) for Mr Ashford in the House of Keys today, asking the minister when he plans to publish the aforementioned point-by-point rebuttal.

The good news for Mr Ashford is that whatever he says - and no one here is expecting any prevarication - it may end up being overshadowed by the expected statement from Chief Minister Howard Quayle, following the publication of the report into Steam Packet isolation protocols.

That is not on the original agenda for today’s sitting, but Mr Quayle has indicated he will seek permission to address MHKs.

Last week Tynwald members debated the future of the Corrin Memorial Home in Peel (and a lot of them seemed certain the motion they passed had already saved the home).

Today, Chris Thomas (Douglas Central) wants to look at its past, with a question about how it was granted a contract to provide respite care beds.

Other issues due to be covered in question time include additional educational needs, our old favourites of the new Princess Dock in Liverpool and the prom redevelopment, travel restrictions on and off the island and upgrades to the Billown Circuit.

Four bills are due to be considered.

The general principles of the Local Government (Amendment) Bill - including the provisions for boundary changes and authority mergers - will be considered at the second reading stage.

The other pieces of legislation are due for detailed scrutiny at the clauses stage.

The Liquor Licensing and Public Entertainments Bill has plenty of amendments planned before last orders can be called on it and the other two bills on the agenda are the Administration of Justice and other Amendments Bill and the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill.

The Legislative Council is also sitting today, with four bills down for consideration.

They are the Adoption Bill, the Competition Bill, the Landlord Registration (Private Housing) Bill and the Enterprise (Aviation and Merchant Shipping) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill - a title that just trips off the tongue.