The public will be able to see how MHKs have voted when they appoint members to select committees.

In the House of Keys last week, a move to make public how people vote in select committee appointments was approved. It follows a similar decision in Tynwald last month.

Until now, the vote for committee appointments has been private.

Clare Bettison (Douglas East), who moved for the change, said it was a case of tidying up after the Tynwald decision.

’This would mean that all votes taken in this House would be subject to publication, expanding on the transparency and openness that we all strive towards,’ she said.

Not everyone was convinced, however. Home Affairs Minister Bill Malarkey was one of two to vote against.

He said: ’Sometimes not knowing who votes for certain people, I find gives you a fairer vote.’

The other opponent was Environment Minister Geoffrey Boot.

The Keys also approved a change to standing orders to amend the rule under which bills that have been amended by the Legislative Council should be reconsidered by the House of Keys at the third sitting after, to make it possible to do so at the next available sitting.

Policy and Reform Minister Chris Thomas explained the reason for the move was to ’introduce some flexibility so that complex situations can be dealt with in a longer period of time, but simple changes in the Legislative Council can actually come forward to this House of Keys for consideration at the next sitting’.

It was approved unanimously.