House of Keys focuses on question paper as legislative business is deferred

23 questions table for ministers to answer

The House of Keys will devote its sitting today (4 February) exclusively to oral questions after the clauses stage of the Statute Law Revision Bill was postponed to allow more time for consideration.

Twenty-three questions have been tabled for discussion with proceedings expected to exceed the usual one-hour allocation.

Among them is a question from Douglas East MHK Joney Faragher, directed at Health and Social Care Minister Claire Christian, regarding reductions in elective surgeries.

The topic has attracted significant attention in recent days and the minister is expected to provide a statement in response.

Other starred questions include inquiries into the processing of BACS payments for state pensions, the treasury minister's involvement in doctors' pay negotiations, the fibre optic cable connecting the Isle of Man to the UK, and the use of MiCards for social security payments.

One of the more unusual questions of the session comes from Douglas Central MHK Chris Thomas who has addressed a query to the Speaker of the House of Keys.

His question concerns the criteria used to permit urgent or special reason questions to be debated in the chamber.

Beyond these a range of other topics will be raised including fly-tipping, the use of artificial intelligence, mobile phone usage in schools, and an update on the former police station in Castletown.

Questions will also cover the availability of in-person parentcraft courses, the implementation of air source heat pumps, rising postal stamp prices, and the timeline for the top floor of Summerhill View Care Home to become operational.

You can find the full order paper HERE.

Manx Radio will be broadcasting the sitting in full via our AM1368 frequency; you can also listen to it HERE.