Covid-19: Wuhan Institute of Virology Debate
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Lord Foulkes of Cumnock
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Covid-19: Wuhan Institute of Virology
Lord Foulkes of Cumnock Excerpts(3 years, 4 months ago)
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Lord Bethell (Con)
My Lords, I entirely agree with the sentiments expressed by my noble friend. We are absolutely calling for a timely, transparent and evidence-based phase 2 study, including further investigation in China, as recommended by the experts’ report. We agree with the Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness & Response that member states should give the WHO greater powers to investigate outbreaks of pathogens with pandemic potential within member states.
Lord Foulkes of Cumnock (Lab Co-op)
My Lords, I commend the Minister for an excellent reply to the noble Viscount’s Question—a reply obviously informed by the excellent staff at the Department of Health and Social Care. In the light of that, can I gently ask why, as a Minister, did he feel it necessary to have a parliamentary research assistant?
Lord Bethell (Con)
My Lords, I have written to the commissioner for standards in response to that precise question and I should be glad to share that correspondence with the noble Lord.