Coronavirus

Lindsay Hoyle Excerpts

Wednesday 11th March 2020 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Before I call the Secretary of State to make his statement, I would like to draw the attention of the House to the fact that this statement on coronavirus is being streamed live, with the accompanying British Sign Language interpretation, at parliamentlive.tv.

--- Later in debate ---

[Several hon. Members rose—]

[Mr Speaker]

Can I just say, to help Members, that I expect to run this for an hour from now? That should accommodate everybody.

[Steve Brine (Winchester) (Con)]

I would like to take the Secretary of State back to his point about a real national effort. Last week, he talked about the supermarkets helping to get supplies to elderly and vulnerable constituents, many of whom cannot get out—and right now we do not want them to do so. Will he join me in paying tribute to the army of volunteers across the country in community shops such as the Hursley community shop in my constituency? The shop told me today of the service that it is running for elderly parishioners in getting essential supplies to them and picking up prescriptions for them. That is a brilliant example of the big society—remember that?—doing its bit to help this country to get over this terrible time.