Covid-19: UK-wide Discussions Debate

Full Debate: Read Full Debate
Department: Cabinet Office

Covid-19: UK-wide Discussions

Lord Mancroft Excerpts
Tuesday 9th June 2020

(3 years, 9 months ago)

Lords Chamber
Read Full debate Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Lord True Portrait Lord True [V]
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

My Lords, the purpose of the devolution settlement is to enable the devolved Administrations to respond as they believe right to local needs. I repeat that I believe that there is a high level of co-ordination, co-operation and understanding between all authorities involved in fighting this crisis.

Lord Mancroft Portrait Lord Mancroft (Con) [V]
- Hansard - -

My Lords, in recognising the need to co-ordinate between the Government and the devolved Administrations, does my noble friend recognise that the requirement for two-metre social distancing above all else is preventing us reopening our economy? Can my noble friend tell the House what research the Government have that leads them to a different conclusion from the World Health Organization and most European Governments, which recommend one or 1.5-metre social distancing? What steps are the Government taking to reduce this from two metres, and when?

Lord True Portrait Lord True [V]
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

My Lords, the Government are guided by science at all stages of the crisis; the advice we have given has been on that basis. The advice is constantly under review by SAGE, but I can give no guarantees as to when or whether any change will be announced.