Chris Thomas MHK was asked if any money could be drawn from reserves to avoid strike action
The treasury minister says he doesn't want to 'complicate' matters by getting involved in discussions between bus vannin and some of its drivers.
Members of Unite the Union go on strike from today (Saturday 21 February) in a long-running dispute over pay and contractual issues.
A limited, hourly service is operating for most main routes for the next ten days.
Speaking on Manx Radio's Budget special, Chris Thomas MHK was asked whether any of the money being used from government's reserves could be spent on meeting the demands of the bus drivers:
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