Tourism Minister David Allen could be on the mend although he has challenges ahead of him Government colleague Alex Scott said last night.

Works and Engineering Minister Mr. Scott said that although he had not got official word directly from the hospital, he had heard Mr. Allen, who is intensive care at Boston's Lahey Clinic, had improved.

Mr. Allen was airlifted to hospital on Friday after treatment in Bermuda for an undisclosed illness and had an operation on Sunday.

Mr. Scott said: "We were concerned a bit on Sunday but the reports today are all encouraging. He does have challenges ahead of him but for now he's doing all right. He may be in intensive care for about a week."

Mr. Scott added: "I will say on behalf of Mr. Allen I have been touched and I will make sure he gets the messages from all those media types, politicians and members of the community who have expressed their concerns and prayers for him."