Questions linked to VAT agreement

The loss of income to the Manx Government following the redrawing of the VAT revenue sharing agreement is reflected in a number of questions for tomorrow's sitting of the House of Keys.

Issues to be raised include local authority reserves and rent arrears, performance related pay for senior civil servants, possible new taxes and the Common Purse Agreement itself.

Eight different members have tabled a total of 18 questions for oral and written answer, and six bills are up for consideration.

In addition there will be a move to extend question time by an hour each sitting, until 12 noon.

Former Onchan commissioner David Quirk is keen to find out how much each of the 24 local authorities have in their general and housing reserves, and John Houghton wants to know how much is owed in rent arrears to DoLGE and each of the housing authorities.

Bill Henderson is wondering whether a link will be made between savings in government departments and the pay of their senior staff, and Peter Karran is suggesting government revenues could be increased by bringing in a 2.5 per cent tax on increases in property values, for non-resident owners.

Others questions cover salaries of senior figures at the MEA, the possible criminalisation of the 'legal high' drug mephedrone and why fewer primary schools are apparently putting on nativity plays.

Mr Henderson wants the chief minister to lay the Common Purse Agreement before Tynwald.

Tuesday's sitting of the House of Keys starts at 10am and there will be the usual live coverage of question time on Manx Radio's 1368 AM service.

The Legislative Council is sitting from 10.30 and will look at the Gambling Supervision and Human Rights (Amendment) Bills.