Tynwald members today approved a contributary pension scheme for themselves, which will come into operation on April 1.

It is however voluntary for existing members, and voting in favour of the scheme does not automatically mean a commitment to paying into it.

With that in mind Manx Radio conducted a survey among Tynwald members ahead of today's vote via email and asked them if they intended to contribute to their pensions.

The vast majority of MHKs and MLCs did respond to us and said they were happy to do so.

Some, such as David Cretney and Howard Quayle, said it was an election pledge they intended to fulfil.

Kate Beecroft said it was in the Liberal Vannin Party's manifesto, so would be contributing, although she felt the recommendations which went before Tynwald didn't go far enough.

Three MHKs; Phil Gawne, Laurence Skelly and Eddie Teare, without prompting also told us they were refusing the 1.2% civil service pay award which Tynwald members are entitled to.

One MHK, despite telling us he would be voting in favour of the proposals, was not happy with being asked about it.

John Houghton described our original message to all members as 'arrogant', asked if we had nothing better to do at Manx Radio and followed that up with a personal attack upon the station.

He also asked that we do not contact him on any future issues, adding he would only be dealing with the Island's other two radio stations in future.

We received an email letting us know that Eddie Lowey MLC declined to comment.

We did not receive responses from Allan Bell, Graham Cregeen, Zac Hall, Bill Henderson, Peter Karran and Juan Turner.