As usual, my six-monthly round up of records newly released by the UK National Archives relevant to the Isle of Man.

A number of files on broadcasting in the Isle of Man: PF 296/628 from what is now the Department for Digiital Culture, Media and Sport from 2000-2002; KS 3/39 and KS 3/36 on the 1998 Wireless Telegraphy Regulations from the Radiocommunications Agency in 1998 and 1999.

Reciprocal agreements relating to National Insurance, described as “negotiation for Channel Islands and Isle of Man”: PIN 34/2099, relating to 1998-2005, with the subject “Europe and Russia”..

A number of files related to sanctions against Iran (PC 2/Z4CLV, 2003), Haiti (PC 2/Z4CTP, 2023; which is rare example of a UK Order for the Isle of Man made under the authority of a UK Act); and Belarus (PC 2/Z4CRL, likewise).

The extension of a Council fo Europe agreement on equivalence of diplomas leading to university admission to the Isle of Man (WRR 281/3, 1994); and an EC regulation on tachographs (MT 174/230, 2000)

The Immigration (Isle of Man) (Amendment) Order 2023, (PC 2/Z4CLV, 2025), again UK law, which was necessary to transfer functions contained in an Order specific to the Isle of Man from the Cabinet Office to the (Manx) Treasury. Interestingly, this Order comes into force by the Minister for the Treasury laying an order under this UK instrument before Tynwald.

A war time file on “removal of bearer bonds from the Isle of Man”, IR 62/1856, from the Inland Revenue in 1940. From other files of around this time that have been closed for an unusually long period, it may contain lists of (for instance) owners of bearer bonds by name,. Nonetheless, on the list for my next visit!

Two prisoners of war records: John Sydney Cringle, born in Castletown on 28/7/1924 and captured at Arnhem in 1944 (his file is at WO 416/82/297 if any relatives are interested); and Albert Cain, born in Lonan on 30/7/1924 and captured at Anzio in 1944 (his file is at WO 416/54/94). I have largely resisted, at least for the moment, the temptation to go down the rabbit hole of the Manxman who fought at Arnhem, but it seems he was one the 1st Border Regiment’s Mortar Platoon who landed via glider.

Finally, an exchange of letters over a proposed visit by the World Affairs Council of Orange County, who wished to meet the Lieutenant-Governor during a planned visit to the Isle of Man in 1994. The Foreign Office Office considered the World Affairs Council to be a prestigious group: “Royalty have spoken from time to time, (but not British Royalty”). (see FCO 82/DJQ/Z and FCO 82/DG7/Z, 1994)). The World Affairs Council is still going strong, and might value this stamp of approval.