As a petition criticising the Steam Packet’s winter timetable attracts an increasing number of names, the subject is up for discussion in the House of Keys on Tuesday.

North Douglas MHK Bill Henderson will put a series of questions to Transport Minister David Anderson about the situation.

By close of business on Friday more than 1,700 people had signed the petition, which calls for the government and Office of Fair Trading to intervene.

The new timetable effectively ends winter day trips to Liverpool, although the Steam Packet says it’s considering laying on special trips before Christmas.

Jason Roberts reports (text, below, from attached audio file): .

In his questions, Mr Henderson wants to know whether the DoT would support airlines offering cheaper seats as an alternative to using the ferry.

He will quiz Mr Anderson on what he is doing to liaise with the airlines, who might see the Steam Packet’s omission as a commercial opportunity.

And in his final question, he will ask if civil servants overseeing the user agreement with the company have fully assessed whether the new schedules meet the terms and conditions.

In total, Mr Henderson will put four questions to Mr Anderson during Tuesday’s sitting.