Asked by: Marion Fellows (Scottish National Party - Motherwell and Wishaw)
Question to the Leader of the House:
To ask the Leader of the House, what plans he has to enable hon. Members that are required to self-isolate as a result of a (a) contact identified through the Government’s test, trace, isolate programme, (b) a positive test for covid-19 by (i) themselves and (ii) a member of their household and (c) member of their household displays symptoms of covid-19 to participate in (A) votes and (b) parliamentary proceedings.
Answered by Jacob Rees-Mogg
I would encourage all MPs that are able to do so to return to Parliament. I recognise that health is a personal matter and MPs with health concerns will need to make their own decision about what is appropriate for them. My expectation is that the pairing arrangements will apply to members in cases of illness in the usual way.
For those Members unable to attend Westminster for medical or public health reasons related to the pandemic, I have tabled a motion to allow participation in proceedings on Questions, Urgent Questions and Statements virtually. The Government has also committed to enabling proxy voting for those who are shielding or clinically vulnerable.
Asked by: Marion Fellows (Scottish National Party - Motherwell and Wishaw)
Question to the Leader of the House:
To ask the Leader of the House, what discussions he has had with the House of Commons Commission on the effect on the Business of the House in the event that a case of covid-19 is confirmed in a person who had been present in the Chamber during a sitting of the House while infectious.
Answered by Jacob Rees-Mogg
I have been in regular contact with the Speaker and Clerk of the House throughout Parliament’s response to covid-19. In the same way that we prepared for the House’s virtual return after Easter we will work in collaboration with the House Authorities to ensure that we are ready for the physical return. The Commission will be meeting tomorrow to discuss these matters further. We are clear about the need to bring Parliament back to work in a safe, responsible way that aligns with public health guidelines.
Asked by: Marion Fellows (Scottish National Party - Motherwell and Wishaw)
Question to the Leader of the House:
To ask the Leader of the House, what steps he is taking to arrange for the participation in votes and proceedings of the House from 2 June 2020 of Members who have been advised by their country’s Chief Medical Officer that they are clinically extremely vulnerable to covid-19 and must not leave their homes during the pandemic.
Answered by Jacob Rees-Mogg
It is the Government’s clear view that the current hybrid arrangements are temporary, and that as essential workers, the vast majority of MPs must return to parliament physically so that we can pass legislation and enable proper scrutiny of government.
However, someone’s health is a deeply personal matter and if any MPs have been advised to shield by the government and therefore cannot attend the House, the Government is looking at options for participation in some proceedings. For those MPs who will attend the House, we will continue to work in line with public health advice and will work closely with the House authorities to agree social distancing measures ahead of any physical return of Parliament.
Asked by: Marion Fellows (Scottish National Party - Motherwell and Wishaw)
Question to the Leader of the House:
To ask the Leader of the House, what discussions he has had with the Chief Medical Officers of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland on the effect on the health and wellbeing of Members and staff on the parliamentary estate of the reintroduction of full physical parliamentary proceedings on 2 June 2020.
Answered by Jacob Rees-Mogg
The Government is clear about the need to bring Parliament back to work in a safe, responsible way that aligns with public health guidelines that apply to all places of work. We will work closely with the House authorities ahead of any physical return of Parliament and since March there has been frequent communication with Public Health England and all the House Authorities.