THE majority of the questions tabled for tomorrow's (February 14) House of Keys sitting will be asked by members of the Liberal Vannin Party.

There are 23 questions tabled (four for oral answer and 19 for written answer) and 28 of them will be asked by either Onchan MHK Zac Hall or South Douglas MHK Kate Beecroft.

Mr Hall will ask a number of questions about the Steam Packet Company and the User Agreement.

Chief Minister Allan Bell MHK will be asked to detail government's "contingency plans and risk management framework" to "guarantee the Island's strategic lifeline provided by the Steam Packet Company".

Infrastructure Minister David Cretney MHK will be asked if the Steam Packet Company has exercised its option to extend the User Agreement for a further six years to 2020 and whether the department has sought legal advice in relation to extension or termination of the agreement.

Mr Hall will also ask the Infrastructure Minister what investigations have been carried out, and their costs, by his department into the benefits of deepening Douglas Harbour "for use of the vessels for provision of freight and passenger services".

The Onchan MHK will also ask the Treasury Minister a series of questions about the application process for public appointments for various statutory boards and bodies, the Financial Supervision Commission and the Insurance and Pensions Authority.

Mr Hall's Liberal Vannin Party colleague Kate Beecroft will ask two of the four questions for oral answer.

She wants to know if the Chief Minister will negotiate a reduction in the Isle of Man's contribution to defence, proportionate to the reduction in the defence budget in the UK and whether the Social Care Minister, Chris Robertshaw MHK, has any plans for defining the meaning of fuel poverty for residents in the Isle of Man. 

The five questions tabled by other MHKs include those from North Douglas MHK John Houghton who wants to know when the Infrastructure Minister will introduce regulations to control on-street parking of motor homes and large vans.

Ramsey MHK Leonard Singer will also quiz the Health Minister David Anderson MHK about rates of pay for consultants working for the NHS.

Mr Anderson will also be asked about the GP surgeries around the Island and the number of missed appointments in the last six months, and the last three years, by Onchan MHK Zac Hall.

Also see: MHK to ask about Facebook abuse

What do you think? Let us know your thoughts by leaving a comment below: