There have been no formal discussions held with the BBC over its coverage of the island.

That was confirmed by Policy and Reform Minister Chris Thomas in last week’s Tynwald.

The question was raised by Garff MHK Daphne Caine who wanted to know if and when the matter will be addressed.

Tynwald had instructed the Council of Ministers to hold discussions with the BBC to seek improvements to its service for the Isle of Man.

Mr Thomas said: ‘The Council of Ministers fully intends to fulfil the obligations placed on it by Tynwald but no specific formal discussions have yet taken place with the BBC.’

Mrs Caine responded by asking the minister if he felt island licence payers receive ‘good value for money’ when compared with our Crown Dependency counterparts in Guernsey and Jersey.

She also asked when CoMin was likely to hold discussions with the BBC.

Mr Thomas said that there are ‘many ways’ value can be measured but he didn’t want to be drawn to commenting on that for fear of ‘prejudicing’ talks with the BBC which will include discussions surrounding that topic.

Chief Minster Howard Quayle said that priorities have to come into what CoMin can achieve and what is beyond its control further abroad.

Mr Quayle said: ‘While this topic may be of great significance to us here there is another topic beginning with ‘B’ which is taking the time of the Westminster parliament and that will have to take precedence over this ‘B’ word.’

Mr Thomas also noted that Manx Radio is due to bring its business plan before Tynwald later in the year so it was not sensible to combine the wider issue of public service broadcasting with the matter of the BBC at this time.

Mrs Caine tried to push Mr Thomas on what improvements in the BBC coverage he’d like to see and if he thought it could be achieved before the end of this Tynwald in 2021.

Mr Thomas said: ‘We’ll have a good go in the term of this administration because this Council of Ministers has a mandate from this honourable court to secure better outcomes.’

He added that would include the Communications Act when it comes forward and exploring TV licence fees.