"Chilling effect" on questions

The Positive Action Group says it’s worried about a “chilling effect” on parliamentary questions after a statement from President of Tynwald Clare Christian this week.

During the court’s sitting, she echoed the sentiments of the Speaker of the House of Keys, saying some questions were too onerous and needed simplifying.

Both were looking at parliamentary questions and procedures following comments from Treasury Minister Eddie Teare that civil servants had been tied up answering more than 300 questions in a year.

But the PAG's Roger Tomlinson says parliamentary questions are a vital part of democracy