Praise for the people who saved health agreement

Chief Minister Tony Brown says the signing of a new Reciprocal Health Agreement between the Isle of Man and the United Kingdom is down to the hard work of the Island's politicians, members of the public and supporters elsewhere.

After months of negotiations, the deal was signed yesterday (Thursday), by Mr Brown and Health Minister David Anderson.

It will come intp force on October 1, the day after the present, temporary agreement expires.

The signing brings to a close a difficult period in the Island's relationship with the British government, following bitter rows over the UK's unilateral decision to terminate the previous, long established arrangement.

Mr Brown says the Island owes a debt of gratitude to all those who fought hard to keep an agreement in place: