Covid-19: Local Restrictions

Baroness Jolly Excerpts
Thursday 3rd September 2020

(4 years, 2 months ago)

Lords Chamber
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Lord Bethell Portrait Lord Bethell (Con)
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My Lords, we are working extremely hard to create confidence in the Test and Trace system and in the effectiveness of our two-tier system of hands, face and space combined with Test and Trace. We are appealing to the country to take necessary precautions but within those precautions to go about everyday life.

Baroness Jolly Portrait Baroness Jolly (LD)
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My Lords, in the pandemic, I fear that some sectors of the public are losing confidence in politicians. Scientists, on the other hand, are seen as independent and trusted. Surely, advice for politicians from scientists should be published in the interests of openness and transparency. Does the Minister agree?

Lord Bethell Portrait Lord Bethell (Con)
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I completely agree with the noble Baroness. The collapse in confidence in politicians is nothing new, I am afraid. I can only pay tribute to British scientists, who have been extraordinary in terms not only of the integrity of their work but its pioneering nature. In many fields, Britain has led the world in the innovative and brave science that we have pioneered.