Wednesday 11th March 2020

(4 years, 8 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Dean Russell Portrait Dean Russell (Watford) (Con)
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I congratulate my right hon. Friend—[Interruption.]

Nigel Evans Portrait Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Nigel Evans)
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Order. The hon. Gentleman has been here throughout, and it is up to hon. Members to decide if they wish to catch my eye.

Dean Russell Portrait Dean Russell
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Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker.

I congratulate my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on this campaign, which has kept the level of conversation stable and consistent throughout. This week, sadly, we also had a constituent pass away at Watford General Hospital, and I pay tribute to the family and to the staff who work so hard.

My question is on the broader responsibility of this place, councils, local government and anybody in a public position. Does my right hon. Friend agree that the main message we need to get out is for people to remember that, on the frontline, the most important thing they can do is regularly wash their hands for 20 seconds? That is not much to ask of the general public, but it is the most frontline thing they can do to stop the spread.

--- Later in debate ---
Matt Hancock Portrait Matt Hancock
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Today we have upgraded the response to flights coming back from Italy. I understand some of the concerns raised earlier in the week. We have put an awful lot of effort in with the Department for Transport, the Border Force and the airports authorities themselves— I pay tribute to them all—to address exactly the concerns that the hon. Gentleman raises.

Nigel Evans Portrait Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Nigel Evans)
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I thank the Secretary of State for his statement today and I wish him and his wonderful NHS team well in their endeavours during this pandemic.