Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether UK Ambassadors and High Commissioners in southern Asia have been instructed to approach their respective host governments to assess the possibility of establishing joint ventures in the production of personal protective equipment. [T]

The Government is working tirelessly to secure vital supplies of personal protective equipment (PPE) from overseas partners to meet UK demand. A joint Foreign and Commonwealth Office-Department for International Trade team was established to work with our network of overseas Posts to identify leads for medical equipment, conduct due diligence, and support the Department for Health and Social Care with the procurement process.

We are also working to establish relationships with suppliers in priority markets, including South Asia, where excess manufacturing capability exists and export restrictions aren't in place, with a view to securing the UK's future PPE supply. We have asked Posts to begin engagement with potential suppliers, and engaging governments where appropriate.