Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, for what reason the official with responsibility for mental health, of the equivalent seniority to the Chief Medical Officer and the Government Chief Scientific Officer, has not been invited to take the podium at a televised Number 10 coronavirus press conference; and if he will make a statement.

As Chief Medical Officer, Professor Whitty’s interest covers both mental and physical health. Both the Chief Medical Officer and Chief Scientific Officer are permanent secretary level appointments.