Covid-19 Update Debate
Full Debate: Read Full DebateDepartment: Department of Health and Social Care
Viscount Waverley
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Covid-19 Update
Viscount Waverley Excerpts(4 years, 2 months ago)
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Viscount Waverley (CB) [V]
My Lords, it is clear that face masks are a critical component of slowing the virus. Following on from the observations of the noble Lord, Lord Rooker, and other noble Lords, how self-sufficient is the UK expected to become in the supply of PPE, and are there targets for the supply of face masks in particular?
Lord Bethell (Con)
My Lords, we have taken huge steps in the domestic production of PPE. In some matters, where the production is relatively straightforward, such as aprons, we have taken huge steps forward and the vast majority of our production is done at home. For some products, such as gloves, that are more complex because of their shape, we are having to work harder. The progress of my noble friend Lord Deighton’s Make strategy for PPE has been profound, and we are looking at making up to half of our PPE requirements in the UK.