All 1 Debates between Ian Lavery and Neil O'Brien

Thu 24th Nov 2022

Covid-19: PPE Procurement

Debate between Ian Lavery and Neil O'Brien
Thursday 24th November 2022

(2 years ago)

Commons Chamber
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Neil O'Brien Portrait Neil O’Brien
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I will look closely at all the suggestions that the hon. Member makes. I have not had a chance to look at the Bill, but I am sure that we are always in the market for constructive ideas.

Ian Lavery Portrait Ian Lavery (Wansbeck) (Lab)
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At the same time as the Government were being obstructive and deliberately attempting to block Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust in the north-east from providing PPE from a factory of its own, people who were closely connected to the Government were making millions from PPE. Minister, is that just a strange coincidence?

Neil O'Brien Portrait Neil O’Brien
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The people who came through the high-priority route were not politically connected people, except in the sense that they were being referred by MPs across the House. I do not know the exact details of the north-east supplier that the hon. Gentleman mentions. If he gets in touch, I will be happy to take that up and provide him with a full explanation of what the issue was with that bid for a contract.