North Douglas MHK John Houghton has claimed that an Isle of Man child care agency is run by gangsters.While not naming the agency, he went on to say that former employees are intimidated and threatened and the operators have a record of 15 years of "misery and poor practice". James Davis reports (audio file attached): Mr Houghton made his outspoken comments during a debate on the use of contracted agencies for child care. In relation to the use of the term "gangsters", Mr Houghton was warned to modify his language and not repeat the word. The MHK suggested that other children are likely to die in care probably through drug abuse. In his support the other north Douglas member Bill Henderson reffered to black listed references surfacing when former employees of the care agency have applied for DHSS positions. Mr Houghton wanted the DHSS to carry out a survey into the viability of the department directly employing staff for child care rather than using contracted agencues. Tynwald did not agree and the motion was defeated