Keys members have been told why no explanation was offered for a Minister refusing to answer public questions.

Transport Minister David Anderson (pictured, left) said it was "not in the public interest" to answer three Keys questions on the airport runaway, put to him by Onchan member Peter Karran (pictured, right). This prompted a claim of another 'Council of Ministers conspiracy' from Mr Karran.

The Secretary to the House of Keys, Malachy Cornwell Kelly says if a Minister decides not to answer a question on public interest grounds, he or she has to tell the Speaker 24 hours beforehand giving reasons.

The Speaker then decides whether the action is justified and has to report that to the Keys sitting at which the question or questions were due to be asked.

However Standing Orders say the Speaker cannot give his reasons for deciding whether the action was justified.

Mr Cornwell Kelly makes two points. He says it makes the Speaker the independent arbiter of whether the refusal to answer is justified, but it leaves him in the position of not being allowed to then tell Keys members why he came to his conclusion.