Home Affairs Minister Bill Malarkey might be tempted to don a flak jacket when Tynwald sits today (Tuesday).

Question time has its usual rich variety of subjects, from the new patient transfer taxi contract through to where school meals are prepared.

But the trials and tribulations of Mr Malarkey, over the placing of Ramsey Courthouse for sale on the open market, dominate the paper with a lengthy charge sheet of queries.

Lawrie Hooper is the lead counsel for the prosecution, with able support from other northern MHKs.

It’s going to be a busy sitting for Mr Hooper. Later in the day, he will table a motion that the Manx Utilities Authority (MUA) should ’immediately reconsider’ its controversial water rate rise and limit it to 2 per cent until a financial review of the authority is completed.

Mr Hooper’s Ramsey colleague Alex Allinson, as chairman of the MUA, has had to try to justify the 6.4 per cent ’inflationary’ increase in the rate.

It has sparked debate on why the MUA used the Retail Price Index as its guide, rather than the significantly lower rate of the Consumer Price Index.

Speaking of increases, Members will be asked to improve some in the minimum wage.

For those aged 25 and over it will be a 50p increase to £7.50, in a new band. Those aged 21-24 will receive a 20p increase to £7.20; 18-20-year-olds will have a minimum of £6.85 and those aged 16-17 will be looking forward to later birthdays, being granted a minimum of £5.70 an hour.

The rates, if approved, are in line with the national living wage rates in the UK.

Meanwhile, Onchan MHK Julie Edge is making good on one of her pledges - to derail the government gravy train.

She has a question tabled about former public servants coming back as consultants and a motion calling for a ’full review of employment costs’ across government.

Policy and Reform Minister Chris Thomas will do his bit to convince us he is not deputy chief minister, in all but name, by opening the main proceedings after question time with three statements, covering the review of the functions of Tynwald, another on the Tynwald commissioner for administration and the Safeguarding Children’s Board and also one on the 2016 Census report.

Chief Minister Howard Quayle, the man in charge, will follow that by seeking approval for two appointments to Culture Vannin, before a number of government orders, moved by variety of ministers, will come under the microscope.

l Read Paul Speller’s interview with Bill Malarkey - p10