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Question
Mr Speaker granted an urgent question on yet another scandal at the heart of the Tory Government involving emergency covid contracts for political polling. He highlighted a £560,000 contract used by Michael Gove's office for Union-related research and cited evidence from a Cabinet Office witness statement confirming this. The MP asked about the Prime Minister’s knowledge or approval, who results were shared with, other pieces of political research ordered during the pandemic, and total public funds spent.
Minister reply
The Minister thanked the right hon. Gentleman for his questions and provided context on direct awarding of the Public First contract in March 2020 for communications during the early stages of the pandemic when there was limited knowledge about managing the disease. She mentioned that rapid decisions were made to secure focus group testing, including 'Stop The Spread' campaign messages and understanding public reactions across the UK. Ministers did not have personal involvement in awarding this contract, which she clarified did not relate to constitutional campaigning nor party political research.
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Question
Against global demand for PPE, the UK Government secured over 32 billion items of it, including support for devolved Administrations in testing capacity and the furlough scheme. He questioned why this should be denigrated rather than celebrated.
Minister reply
The Minister thanked her hon. Friend for pointing out the fantastic co-operation between all parts of the United Kingdom during the pandemic. She emphasised that the UK Government provided huge support to devolved Administrations in testing capacity, PPE distribution, and furlough schemes, which should be celebrated rather than denigrated.
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Question
I think it is worth reiterating that the Government have been found to have acted unlawfully over the contract with Public First... Finally, the Minister promised that all such emails are covered by freedom of information. We have submitted such a request, but how will the former and current Health Ministers be prevented from permanently deleting the emails first? I urge her to refer the whole issue to the Information Commissioner.
Minister reply
I have listened over this past year to the criticisms and attacks made by the Opposition... If we did not do that, we risked missing out on vital supplies. We never ripped up procurement rules... There have been judicial reviews in respect of some of those contracts...
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Question
With nothing better to do, the Opposition continue to sensationalise the details surrounding a handful of high-value contracts that were subject to the emergency procurement procedures at the outset of the pandemic. Can my hon. Friend confirm that the Government are committed to transparency surrounding the use of taxpayers’ money and that all new contracts over £10,000 are published online for anybody who wishes to see them?
Minister reply
Thank you, Mr Speaker; I appreciate your zeal and I think you are right... We have tried throughout to be transparent, but I have set out some of the very good reasons why it has been difficult sometimes to publish the contracts in a timely way. This has been a very complex process where we have had to surge teams at very short notice...
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Question
The Government were able to award contracts using their high priority lane because this House gave them the power to do so. We did it, effectively, on trust... Will the Minister now repay the trust that this House placed in the Government by publishing the details not just of the contracts that were put through that high priority lane, but of those who introduced the contractors to the Government, the basis on which it was thought appropriate to put them through the high-priority lane and the economic outcomes of those decisions?
Minister reply
I thank the right hon. Member for his inquiries... As I say, 47 went through the high-priority lane, and discussions are under way on the extent to which we can be transparent about that because of commercial sensitivities. However, as I said, all PPE contracts have now been transparently published.
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Question
Our vaccine programme is a fantastic example of how the best of the British science industry and Government have worked together to tackle the virus... Does my hon. Friend agree that without the expertise, willingness to take risk and innovation of our private sector, the success of the vaccine programme would not have been possible?
Minister reply
I thank my hon. Friend for his question. He is quite right to point out that we absolutely need commercial expertise in times of pandemic and any similar crises that may come along... While I absolutely accept that there are questions to be asked after the event, the priority in times of crisis must always be delivering on the ground, and that is what we have always sought to do.
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Question
Welcomes the Minister’s acknowledgment of past mistakes but expresses concern about private email exchanges between Cabinet members, suggesting that these conversations should not be kept secret from officials or taxpayers.
Minister reply
Acknowledges the work done by Meg Hillier through the Public Accounts Committee and notes her leadership in scrutinising this area. States she cannot comment on email conversations she has not seen.
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Question
Defends the Government's decision to abbreviate procurement procedures during the pandemic, citing similar actions by devolved Administrations. Highlights the need for better options between full-fat procurement and direct award.
Minister reply
Confirms that other UK Governments also use emergency regulations but notes dissatisfaction with current procedures and outlines a review in the Procurement Green Paper.
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Question
Accuses the Government of misusing public funds to award contracts to friends for political purposes. Questions whether the Secretary of State consented to such decisions.
Minister reply
Reiterates that no public money was used for political campaigning and clarifies that Public First's contract was not for PPE but communications support.
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Question
Praises the Minister for handling the urgent question on emergency powers, highlighting their importance in establishing world-leading vaccine programmes compared to bureaucratic EU processes.
Minister reply
Acknowledges that emergency powers were necessary during the pandemic and mentions the Chancellor's presence elsewhere as part of government decentralisation efforts.
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Question
Challenges the Minister on the misuse of public funds for political canvassing, citing a pro-independence vote in Scotland. Asks whether the Government accepts Scottish voters' will to leave the Union.
Minister reply
Reiterates that there was proper demonstration through referendums and mentions the importance of communications during the pandemic when vaccines were not available.
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Question
Suggests that accusations of cronyism are often unfounded, noting that civil service manages contracts and due diligence is always required.
Minister reply
Agrees with Bob Stewart's point, highlighting the distinction between Ministers and civil service in contract management.
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Question
Asks about progress on implementing recommendations from Boardman reviews regarding procurement practices and governance. Requests updates to be placed in the House of Commons Library.
Minister reply
Confirms that Public Accounts Committee will receive an update on second Boardman report in July, with ongoing work on first report's 24 recommendations.
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Question
Defends the Government’s procurement decisions as necessary during a global pandemic to secure vital equipment and vaccines quickly.
Minister reply
Agrees that instant decisions were required to compete globally for supplies, highlighting lessons learned through reviews and public inquiry.
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Question
Asks for clarification on the total amount of taxpayers' money used for political research during the pandemic.
Minister reply
States that no taxpayer money was used on political campaigning.
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Question
Supports the Government's actions in securing lifesaving equipment and vaccines quickly, suggesting a full review of emergency procurement procedures for future pandemics.
Minister reply
Acknowledges challenges faced during the pandemic and confirms ongoing reviews through Boardman reports and National Audit Office investigations.
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Question
Highlights that Conservative donors received Government contracts worth £881 million. Questions why these opportunities were given to donors while constituents face poverty.
Minister reply
Stresses that a link to the Conservative party was not a criterion for awarding PPE contracts.
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Question
The National Audit Office report on PPE procurement highlighted the lack of transparency in documentation, raising questions about whether private emails were used to conduct Government business. The MP asks for assurance that all relevant private emails have been handed over to the NAO.
Minister reply
Acknowledges challenges faced in publishing contracts due to a large team using different IT systems and assures that freedom of information requests will be addressed appropriately.
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Question
Asks if SNP Members should focus on conspiracy theories instead of exploring the Loch Ness monster, highlighting how the Union has worked together during the pandemic.
Minister reply
Acknowledges the importance of the Union during the pandemic and invites the MP to look for the Loch Ness monster.
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Question
Accuses the Government of misusing public funds by redirecting emergency covid contract funds for political polling, demanding a full public inquiry.
Minister reply
Asserts that the work undertaken was important as part of the pandemic response and not political campaigning.
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Question
Claims Opposition parties are accusing the Government of corruption, enriching contacts with no track record in delivering contracts. Asks for a thank you to businesses that supplied the NHS during the pandemic.
Minister reply
Praises business contributions and mentions initiatives like secondments units to bring commercial expertise into government.
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Question
Outlines alleged corruption involving Lord Bethell, Andrew Feldman, David Cameron, and a former Cabinet Office Minister. Calls for a full inquiry into contract awarding and lobbying practices.
Minister reply
Clarifies the court case judgment relating to procedural issues and addresses the Boardman recommendations.
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Question
Suggests that politicians should focus on getting the country back on its feet rather than squabbling over PPE contracts. Asks for unity.
Minister reply
Emphasises the importance of unity and highlights successful collaboration with devolved administrations.
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Question
Asks if Ministers and officials took procurement decisions, then pretended to retake them later. Inquires about investigation into these allegations.
Minister reply
Acknowledges concerns raised by Dominic Cummings but states that important decisions need to be made promptly with proper scrutiny.
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Question
Questions the Government’s position on Innova tests, alleging trade-distorting practices and a lack of support for UK diagnostic industry.
Minister reply
Acknowledges the importance of onshore manufacturing capacity and mentions Project Defend to ensure key manufacturing capacity.
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Question
Thanks the Government for their response to covid-19, including vaccine roll-out. Asks about sustainability of emergency contracts with large firms.
Minister reply
Highlights collaboration with devolved administrations and mentions procurement reforms aimed at making it easier for SMEs to bid for government contracts.