What do you think is the right framework for a healthcare system?
Hassan Khan, founding partner, The Khan Partnership
The provision of a high quality standard of care that is delivered through a market efficient system with insurance for all by the state, dependent on graduated means testing.

Hilary Devey, founder and owner, Pall-Ex:
Healthcare should be privatised.  Legislation should emulate that of Switzerland or of the Swiss which undoubtedly provides the best healthcare in the world, albeit private.

Simon Dolan, managing director, SJD Accountancy:
Mandatory private healthcare insurance for all those earning in excess of £30k pa. The NHS should be there for those with no choice or emergencies. This would include payments for GP visits. A corresponding reduction in NI must be allowed though.

What are the ramifications of a “dead cat bounce”?
Kahn Disastrous for anyone with children.  Buy a dog.

Devey Further reduction in consumer and business confidence leading to a continuation of depressed levels of economic activity with potential for further significant increases in business failures and unemployment.

Dolan Coming on the back of the worst recession in living memory this would have a devastating effect on investor confidence, therefore less money supply, therefore a long period of stagnation.

Do you think banks will become lax again or will regulation last?
Kahn Governments will realise (again) that banks generate huge economic wealth in their own right and are also an essential component of wider economic production. Once the current political appetite for someone to blame for the credit crunch has passed, regulation will once again reduce. I have significant doubts as to whether the recently talked about “tough regulation” will ever actually be implemented, let alone be effective.

Devey Human nature will prevail and whilst I believe some of the legislation will be followed it is virtually impossible to follow it all as businesses would cease to prosper and it would be the end of capitalism, which is a non starter for the UK and obviously of detriment to the UK economy.

Dolan Without any shadow of doubt banks will become lax again – it is not a question of if, but when. Even when government owned there is significant pressure to lend – this pressure will lead to poor lending decisions. If and when they are sold back to institutions, the same pressures remain but for different reasons.

Who should have the final say on bank bonuses?
Kahn Bank shareholders and proactive remuneration committees. Certainly not governments or politicians. They are as motivated by short terminus in chasing public opinion as they criticise bank wealth makers for being in chasing short term profit goals.

Devey The presidents and chief executives of the banks. Running a bank is no different to running any other public company and if we do not trust them to make the right decisions then I think as a country we are finished.

Dolan Those banks that have lent poorly have gone bust and lost their shareholders everything. The banks that lent well have prospered and delivered decent returns. The shareholders therefore should have and do ultimately have the last say on bonuses. Any government involvement would be purely to raise tax revenues via the back door.

Here’s €10,000. Invest in oil or natural gas?
Kahn Definitely oil. The long term trend will be for prices to increase to well over €100 per barrel. Western and emerging economies are still user dependent on oil. New sources are still being discovered however worldwide peak production against reserves has been forecast since the 1980’s and must now be close.

Devey Natural gas.

Dolan Oil. Whilst the world still needs oil to function I’d be happy to be sat on €10,000 of it.