The chief minister appears to have ruled out government intervention in the freight battle between the Steam Packet and Mezeron.

Answering a question in Tynwald from Michael MHK David Cannan, Tony Brown said the Packet didn't have exclusive rights to Douglas harbour and other firms were allowed to operate there.

He said that was how the free market worked, but added the government was keeping an eye on the situation (play audio file):

Fifteen of today's 33 questions were skipped, because the members who tabled them, East Douglas MHK Brenda Cannell and North Douglas MHK Bill Henderson, were absent from the chamber.

They included some Steam Packet issues, and a raft of queries about the buses.