There are some firm favourites among the topics on the order paper for the penultimate sitting of the House of Keys today (Tuesday).

With just one more Keys sitting to go in the parliamentary year after this one, there is no legislation to consider. We can probably forgive MHKs that, given that they’ve dealt with one of the biggest social issues this century by considering the Abortion Reform Bill with due diligence but arguably no unnecessary delay.

That said, at least two MHKs appear to be wondering if the government itself is keeping to its targets for introducing its legislation. (It is worth remembering the aforementioned Abortion Reform Bill - now before Legislative Council - is a private member’s bill.)

Daphne Caine (Garff) and Julie Edge (Onchan) are both seeking an update from Policy-and-Reform-Minister-not-the-Deputy-Chief-Minister Chris Thomas about progress on Bills that were proposed for this current legislative session. They probably know the answer, to be fair, as it’s unlikely anything new is going to arrive before the summer break.

The fact that the Education Bill - which has had such a long gestation period without actually arriving it has attained near mythical status - was in that programme, may well be in Mrs Caine’s mind, even if she has relinquished her children’s champion role.

Just to reassure Education Minister Graham Cregeen she will not be neglecting him, she has also tabled a written question seeking the number of children registered to join reception classes in each school in September, and the overall expected roll of each school.

In fact, Mr Cregeen’s arm and his head may be aching from all the, mostly written, answers he will be expected to provide.

Kate Beecroft (Douglas South) is not letting up about the co-location of St Thomas’ School and Scoill Vallajeelt, in particular, or the role of faith schools in general, while Ms Edge has questions about catchment areas. How many school buildings are not fit for purpose and how many education department workers earn more than £50,000 per year.

Education is not the only favourite topic to appear among the questions.

Mrs Beecroft is continuing her valiant battle to obtain more information about the government deal to buy the Steam Packet - she has consistently been the loudest voice of dissent.

She will also probe more deeply about the finances of the Media Development Fund.

One rather gets the impression that, following her unceremonious departure from the Council of Ministers, assisted by Howard Quayle’s boot, Mrs Beecroft is rather warming to her role as chief thorn in his side.

Other issues to be raised on the question paper include public sector pensions, housing the lack of NHS dentistry services, work permits and how inflation is measured.

Meanwhile, although the Legislative Council has only one item on the agenda. It is the Abortion Reform Bill. MLCs are set for a long day at work.