Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the hon. Member for Perth and North Perthshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, whether the Commission has made an assessment of the potential merits of hon. Members wearing face masks or face coverings upon return to physical Parliamentary proceedings; and if he will make a statement.

The Commission is led by the current Government advice on the use of face masks and coverings.

Advice from Public Health England has been considered which states that face coverings may be beneficial in places where it is hard to follow and maintain social distancing measures e.g. on public transport. Face coverings are not a replacement for social distancing and regular handwashing which remain the most important actions. As hon. Members can maintain social distancing and have easy access to handwashing facilities or hand sanitiser, it was concluded that face coverings were not necessary.

A review of this decision was carried out on 3 June and concluded that the advice did not need to be updated in line with current government guidance.

Although not considered necessary it is an MP’s choice if they do want to wear a face covering on the Parliamentary estate.