Education Minister Graham Cregeen will today be called on to make clear which trade unions his department recognises at University College Isle of Man.

Last week, Jason Moorhouse (Arbory, Castletown and Malew) claimed in the House of Keys that the NASUWT had been ’repeatedly denied’ recognition for its union members at UCM.

He attempted to quiz Mr Cregeen whether such a refusal to recognise aided industrial relations.

On that occasion, his question - which he raised as a follow-up during a wider discussion on the pay dispute - was ruled out of order, because it was not directly related to the original question that had been tabled.

However, at today’s sitting of the Keys, he will get his chance for answers today as he has tabled a question in advance, asking Mr Cregeen which unions are recognised at UCM.

It comes as the temperature continues to rise in the teachers’ pay dispute, with claims that that union members have faced intimidation.

Daphne Caine (Garff) will ask Chief Minister Howard Quayle what he thinks the impact will be if the dispute continues to run on.

Three unions are in formal dispute and have voted for industrial action short of strikes.

With no legislation down for consideration in the House of Keys today, it is a weighty question paper.

The latest developments on sub-post offices, unsurprisingly are back on the agenda, both on the specifics of the situation at Ballasalla and on more general implications for postal services.

Other issues due to be raised include government’s policies with regard to the minimum wage - which is mandatory - and the living wage, which is a higher rate but is only advisor.

There will also be questions on expressions of interest in the Radio TT contract; and the appointment of an independent health regulator and cancer treatments and statistics.

And, aside from putting the Education Minister on the spot, Mr Moorhouse also has questions for Environment Minister Geoffrey Boot and Manx Utilities chairman Dr Alex Allinson about bore holes.

Insert your own joke here.

The Legislative Council, meanwhile, has only one piece of legislation to deal with, but it is an important one.

The Domestic Abuse Bill, which for the first time gives specific definitions to the offence in law, including coercive behaviour, is due a second reading.