Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 13 January 2022 to Question 100514 on Schools: Coronavirus, what date officials at his Department first discussed ventilation in schools with the Department for Health and Social Care in the context of the covid-19 outbreak.

I refer the hon. Member for Houghton and Sunderland South to the answer I gave on 13 January 2022 to Question 100514.

Throughout the COVID-19 outbreak, experts have been consulted and the evidence monitored. Engagement with the Department of Health and Social Care is part of this and has been ongoing relating to CO2 monitoring and air cleaning units, to assess whether this is a viable approach for schools in England based on the existing science and practical considerations.