Oral Answers to Questions

James Davies Excerpts

Tuesday 23rd June 2020 Commons Chamber

[Lilian Greenwood (Nottingham South) (Lab)]

What assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the NHS test and trace service.

[Dr James Davies (Vale of Clwyd) (Con)]

What progress his Department has made on the establishment of a test and trace service for covid-19.

[Mrs Sharon Hodgson (Washington and Sunderland West) (Lab)]

What his timetable is for the operation of the NHS test and trace service nationwide.

--- Later in debate ---

[Matt Hancock]

Obviously, as soon as possible. I agree very strongly with the hon. Lady about the importance of contact tracing—the Test and Trace programme is one of the largest of its kind—to ensure that, as we manage to lift national measures, which we can because the disease is clearly under control and the number of cases is coming down, we can then respond through local action.

[Dr James Davies]

NHS Test and Trace will play an important part in our continued fight against covid-19, but efficient co-ordination across Great Britain will be vital to its success. What steps has my right hon. Friend taken to ensure effective joint working between England, Wales and Scotland?

[Matt Hancock]

That is an incredibly important question. Of course, I would add Northern Ireland to that group. We have regular meetings. I have a weekly call with my counterparts in the devolved Governments. Of course, the devolved Governments have a huge role to play in this. I will give whatever support I can to help the Welsh Government to make sure that they can deliver contact tracing, and indeed the wider testing programme, as well as possible.