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Covid-19
17 March 2020
Lead MP
Dominic Raab
Debate Type
Ministerial Statement
Tags
No tags
Other Contributors: 58
At a Glance
Dominic Raab raised concerns about covid-19 in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Government Statement
Government Statement
The Minister announced a global advisory against non-essential travel for British nationals as part of measures taken in response to the coronavirus pandemic. This decision was based on the fast-changing international circumstances, including border restrictions and lockdowns in various countries worldwide. The announcement aims to reduce the risk of leaving vulnerable British tourists stranded abroad while ensuring essential travel, such as freight services, continues under strict guidelines. FCO consular teams are working around the clock to provide support to those affected by travel disruptions or quarantine measures. The minister also highlighted efforts made for repatriation from various locations and stressed that international co-operation is crucial in managing the crisis.
Emily Thornberry
Lab
Islington South and Finsbury
Question
The MP questioned whether 'essential travel' includes people returning home, given the concerns of tens of thousands of British nationals stranded abroad. She highlighted a case in Peru where an individual's flight was cancelled and received no assistance from their embassy.
Minister reply
The Minister acknowledged the challenges faced by individuals attempting to return home and emphasised that while they are urging against non-essential travel, those who must travel due to urgent circumstances will receive support. He also mentioned ongoing efforts with foreign governments and airlines to facilitate safe repatriations.
Emily Thornberry
Lab
Islington South and Finsbury
Question
The MP questioned the Foreign Office's response to British nationals stranded abroad, citing specific cases such as Tom in Peru. She asked for clarification on what constitutes essential travel and criticised the lack of clear protocols and consular support.
Minister reply
The Secretary of State thanked Thornberry for her concerns but emphasised that decisions on travel are ultimately individual. He noted that the FCO advises against non-essential travel due to social distancing measures, and reiterated that they provide consular support around the clock.
Peter Bottomley
Con
Bewdley
Question
The MP raised issues regarding accessible websites for tourists stuck abroad and visa arrangements. He suggested more flexibility in visa applications to avoid financial loss.
Minister reply
The Secretary of State thanked Peter Bottomley and agreed that tour operators, insurance companies, and airlines should provide transparent advice. He also considered the idea of transferring visas to future arrangements.
Alyn Smith
SNP
Na h-Eileanan an Iar
Question
The MP supported the statement but urged for more action on insurance issues affecting stranded nationals. He cited a statement by Sir Charles Bean and urged collaboration with the Chancellor.
Minister reply
The Secretary of State welcomed Alyn Smith's comments and acknowledged the importance of working with the transport sector to support airlines in helping UK nationals return home through normal commercial means.
Thomas Tugendhat
Con
Tonbridge
Question
The MP asked about future international cooperation on scientific research, defence against pandemics and poverty, and building a prosperous global community.
Minister reply
The Secretary of State agreed with the need for international collaboration and highlighted ongoing efforts to build capacity in vulnerable countries through aid funding. He also mentioned discussions within the G7 regarding coordinated measures.
Chris Bryant
Lab
Rhondda and Ogmore
Question
Bryant expressed appreciation for the work of consular staff, particularly volunteers who are not paid. He also raised concerns about the inconsistency in travel advice given to individuals considering travel abroad versus those already overseas.
Minister reply
Raab thanked Bryant for his comments and assured that cross-party support is essential. He explained that while non-essential travel is discouraged globally, individuals must make their own judgment calls based on personal circumstances and availability of flights.
Question
Seely requested the government to relax competition law to allow ferry operators to discuss a resilience plan. He also asked if the Maritime and Coastguard Agency would permit individuals to remain in cars during ferry journeys for social distancing.
Minister reply
Raab assured that the Secretary of State for Transport is discussing with ferry operators and airliners to provide practical advice to constituents, highlighting ongoing collaboration.
Alistair Carmichael
Lib Dem
Orkney and Shetland
Question
Carmichael argued for a leading role of the government in repatriation efforts, citing examples of stranded constituents in Morocco and emphasising the need for comprehensive consular support.
Minister reply
Raab agreed on providing best possible support. He mentioned successful repatriations from China and coordination with Cuba for the Braemar cruise ship, stressing fluidity and responsiveness.
Alicia Kearns
Con
Rutland and Stamford
Question
Kearns praised the UK's use of behavioural science in its response to coronavirus and emphasised the need for culturally appropriate measures.
Minister reply
Raab highlighted the importance of effective international coordination, while stressing that decisions must be tailored to each country’s unique situation.
Hilary Benn
Lab
Leeds South
Question
Benn asked for clarification on exceptional circumstances under which the government would act to repatriate British nationals.
Minister reply
Raab advised constituents to follow FCO travel advice and noted that decisions will be made based on individual essential reasons, while emphasising heightened risks of being stranded abroad.
Andrew Murrison
Con
South West Wiltshire
Question
Murrison inquired about the UK's stance regarding Iran’s appeal for medical supplies amid sanctions.
Minister reply
Raab acknowledged Iran’s predicament due to its own decisions but stated that beyond humanitarian aid, Iran must take action. He also expressed hope for the release of dual nationals detained in Iran.
Janet Daby
Lab
Lewisham East
Question
Daby sought information on repatriation plans from Morocco, particularly concerning a family with a four-month-old baby.
Minister reply
Raab assured support and assistance for the case but emphasised that decisions will depend on local restrictions and commercial airline availability.
Question
Wheeler highlighted issues faced by constituents in Kiev, including a shutdown of the UK embassy and high costs to contact FCO.
Minister reply
Raab offered assistance from his team and suggested accessing specific hotlines for parliamentarians.
Carolyn Harris
Lab
Neath and Swansea East
Question
Harris sought advice regarding her constituents stranded in Cyprus with cancelled flights and expiring insurance.
Minister reply
Raab assured the case would be looked into and mentioned efforts to increase flight availability through domestic measures.
Richard Drax
Con
South Dorset
Question
May I congratulate my right hon. Friend on the calm way he is dealing with a historic situation? May I raise a point about insurance that was also raised by those on the SNP Benches? Headteachers across the land have organised trips along with parents, who put in a lot of money. A school in my constituency has spent £140,000 getting children out skiing. The insurance companies are referring them to the travel companies, and the travel companies are saying that there is no chance of getting the money back unless the FCO specifically restricts travel to that location. Could my right hon. Friend clarify to all schools across the land, not just those in my constituency, what the situation is and what chance they have of getting their money back?
Minister reply
I thank my hon. Friend for the way in which he has raised his question. The insurance industry makes its decisions in a commercial way, and obviously we and the Transport Secretary are liaising very closely with it, but certainly the call has been made to the Foreign Office to give as clear advice as possible. So we are advising, not least with the Easter holidays coming up, against all but essential travel globally. We are not going to make decisions for individual people, families or schools, but it seems to me that those are the kinds of trips that would now have to be looked at, and we would expect the insurance and the airline industries to follow, based on that very clear advice that we have now given.
Central Scotland
Question
The Foreign Secretary mentioned that the Government have been consulting with the G7, but they have not been consulting with European Governments through the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. May I ask: apart from ideological reasons, why not? It is very concerned that the focus here has been on behavioural science and not on epidemiology.
Minister reply
The hon. Lady asks a perfectly reasonable question. May I reassure her that we are taking the best scientific advice that we have got in the UK? The circumstances in different countries will change. Part of that is about the timing and the peak within which coronavirus hits an individual country. She talked about co-operation with EU partners. I am consistently on the phone talking to all our European partners about all these issues, whether that is the multilateral drive to tackle coronavirus with support for vulnerable countries, research and development, or the particular logistical issues with getting constituents home. The diplomacy with our European friends has never been more intense.
Caroline Nokes
Con
Romsey and Southampton North
Question
My constituent Jamie Harris is stranded on MS Ocean Endeavour off the coast of Argentina. She is travelling independently, so has no recourse to a tour operator and flights from Argentina to Europe have been stopped. Will my right hon. Friend consider working with flight companies such as British Airways—there are many others—to look at ways that we can bring constituents home when there simply is no other alternative for them?
Minister reply
My right hon. Friend makes a good point. For those in South America more generally, there has been a range of concerns in different countries. Fundamentally, we want to encourage, as I have explained, commercial operators to keep running because that is the way of easily repatriating people at scale. But of course we will look and liaise with the airline operators—the Transport Secretary is already doing that—to make sure that, where there are gaps, we can always provide as much support as possible for vulnerable or stranded constituents.
David Lammy
Lab
Tottenham
Question
My constituent Sarah Goodman is stuck in Morocco. She travelled with friends just on Saturday and is now subject to a ban. I have also heard from students on years abroad who are stranded. Can the Secretary of State work on his website to update British nationals who find themselves stranded abroad? Can there be a global strategy because there must be people from abroad stuck in our own country who would like to return home?
Minister reply
The right hon. Gentleman is absolutely right. Another Member has raised the issue of Morocco. The Africa Minister will look at those cases and I am sure will be happy, able and willing to look at the case that the right hon. Gentleman raises. He makes a good point about communication. We are constantly looking to ensure, through the helpline and the online advice, that people can get advice in real time. Constituents and Members can sign up to receive email updates so that they get them all. They can also follow on Twitter and Facebook. There is an inherent challenge, which is the pace at which some of these changes are being made, but we are doing everything we can to ensure that we give updated FCO advice in real time.
Andrew Bowie
Con
West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine
Question
I thank my right hon. Friend for his statement. Have there been any discussions with the oil and gas sector or individual oil and gas companies, given the huge number of British nationals and their families—many of whom come from north-east Scotland—working and living overseas?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend rightly raises the issue of employees in that sector. We are engaging closely with the big employers around the world. Those individuals are in—I say this carefully—in a relatively more comfortable position than others who are travelling for a short period or temporarily, so the priority has been the most vulnerable or those who might find themselves at risk of being stranded. That is why we have given this advice today, but my hon. Friend is right, and we are engaging with substantial employers overseas to see how we can work together to provide the best support for our constituents.
Stephen Doughty
Lab Co-op
Cardiff South and Penarth
Question
I pay tribute to FCO staff, including the one who took my call at midnight last night to deal with my constituent’s son, who is trapped in Guatemala City, where the British embassy appears to be closed and no commercial flights are operating. I urge the Foreign Secretary to change one thing that came out of that call. The FCO does not appear to be taking details of British citizens who are trapped abroad, including whether they have any special needs, medical needs or conditions. Without that information, we will not be able to triage for emergency repatriation flights, emergency assistance and so on. Will he ensure that the FCO starts taking that information, to build up a database, so that we know exactly how many British citizens are trapped and where, and what their conditions are?
Minister reply
I thank the hon. Gentleman for his warm words about the FCO’s efforts and the practical advice he has given us; we will certainly take that back. One point I will mention is that we are not talking about tens of thousands—we are talking about hundreds of thousands abroad. We need to work up as granular a picture of the vulnerabilities as possible, but we also—this is a contributing factor to the change in the travel advice—need to give a clear message, given the scale of the challenge and the unprecedented nature of covid-19, that people need to be realistic about what we can do.
Jeremy Hunt
Con
Richmond Park
Question
Following the Foreign Secretary’s comments about Iran, does he know whether Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe is among the political prisoners whom Iran has released today? Does not the ability of a highly dangerous disease to spread through a prison highlight the immorality of detaining people who are wholly innocent?
Minister reply
My right hon. Friend did an incredible job as Foreign Secretary, in particular in pressing for the release of not just Nazanin, but all our dual nationals suffering in Tehran. I spoke to the Iranian Foreign Minister yesterday. I have made it clear, not least as Iran considers releasing prisoners on a pretty large scale, that there is no excuse for not releasing all the UK dual nationals on furlough. We are waiting for confirmation regarding individual cases, and I want to be careful and to wait until I have confirmation, but I assure my right hon. Friend that this is a high priority for the Government. As I said, I raised it with Foreign Minister Zarif yesterday.
Angela Eagle
Lab
Wallasey
Question
I compliment the Foreign Secretary on making it clear that essential travel includes the freight services that will keep our supermarkets stocked with food. While I recognise that the Department for Transport will be dealing with this, can he reassure those who undertake long-haul freight travel through Europe to get our food supplies to us that they will not be stranded?
Minister reply
I thank the hon. Lady for the way in which she asked her question and for complimenting the FCO consular advice. She is right—I talked about this with the Transport Secretary and the Prime Minister this morning—about the importance of not only keeping freight flowing, but ensuring that we safeguard the workers who are doing that. I want to give some reassurance in relation to the recommendations announced by the President of the European Commission yesterday, which will be considered by the European Council today, in relation to the 30-day travel ban for all but essential travel: medical staff and transporters of goods would be exempt, as well as UK nationals.
Kevin Hollinrake
Con
Thirsk and Malton
Question
My constituent, Kate Jackson, is currently aboard the Silversea cruise liner that has been refused entry to a number of ports. It is now headed to Darwin, Australia, where it is expected to be able to dock, but there are no available flights back to the UK. Will my right hon. Friend do all that he can to repatriate Kate Jackson and her fellow British citizens?
Minister reply
I am aware of that case and we are working actively on it. As with all the cruise ships, the challenge has been to find a place for them to dock and then, not least given the international component of these cruise ships, to get international commercial flights home. We are very much focused on it, and I hope to be able to say more about that particular cruise ship shortly.
Ben Bradshaw
Lab
Exeter
Question
The last thing that our country and economy need on top of coronavirus is the further shock of a hard or no-deal Brexit at the end of this year. Will the Foreign Secretary and his EU colleagues urgently agree an extension to the current Brexit transition period so that the Government and business can focus 100% on the emergency in front of us?
Minister reply
If anything, this shows—not least in our collaboration with the Cuban Government which, at the level of intensity it has shown in recent days, does not happen very often with our close European partners—the case for intensive diplomacy to get this deal done, move on and take the relationship to the next step.
Karen Bradley
Con
Staffordshire Moorlands
Question
I thank my right hon. Friend for his statement. Can he give reassurances to my constituent, Tracy Wood, whose son is a Manchester University placement student stranded in Panama with no flights and limited finances?
Minister reply
We will work closely with airlines and embassies to provide support and advice as soon as possible. I am happy to look at the specific case if given details by the right hon. Friend.
Question
Three of my constituents from Bargoed are stranded in Krakow, Poland having closed its international borders. Will the Secretary of State put together a comprehensive database of all British citizens affected and ensure basic communication is sent to them?
Minister reply
We already have means for people to sign up for real-time updates. We are working with European colleagues to help UK nationals get home when they need to.
Question
I praise the Foreign Secretary's statesmanlike approach and thank the SNP spokesman for his constructive contributions. I have constituents stranded in Morocco and Vietnam, can we ensure helplines in consulates/embassies are manned 24 hours a day to help our constituents?
Minister reply
We will look carefully at all issues raised. We are aware of British nationals in quarantine facilities in Vietnam and providing assistance to move them to better facilities.
Question
After listening to contributions, it is clear that citizens are stuck in many far-flung places around the world. What plans does the Secretary of State have to work with European partners specifically to bring people back?
Minister reply
We do need to work in partnership; we did so for flights from Wuhan and the Braemar cruise ship. We continue to collaborate with international partners.
Question
I appreciate the Foreign Secretary's comprehensive statement but will he clarify the position regarding private planes—commercial or leisure—flying into local airfields?
Minister reply
That is probably for the Department for Transport. I was not clear whether my hon. Friend was asking about repatriation with private planes or restrictions on them.
Neil Coyle
Lab
Bermondsey and Old Southwark
Question
The Foreign Secretary is stating openly that the Government will not bring everyone home; how is he working with operators such as TUI to ensure they act responsibly, like my constituent Michelle Choi in Morocco?
Minister reply
It is a capacity issue given the potential range of UK nationals abroad. We will liaise closely with countries and airlines to make sure commercial flights can get people home.
Mark Pritchard
Con
The Wrekin
Question
Following the right hon. Member for Leeds Central's question about exceptional circumstances, may I ask about repatriating the most vulnerable using RAF and Royal Navy if international airlines further restrict flights?
Minister reply
We have engaged closely with the Defence Secretary; such a scenario would be a last resort but we are focusing on working closely with not just international airlines but other countries.
Emma Hardy
Lab
Kingston upon Hull West and Haltemprice
Question
One of my female constituents is currently stuck in Istanbul, all UK flights to Turkey have been cancelled till mid-April. She has a 25% chance of getting home with Pegasus Airlines not being helpful and she lacks insurance.
Minister reply
I am very happy to look at that case, I will ask the Minister for Europe to take a close look. We will continue to liaise with Turkish authorities and airlines.
Question
A constituent's grandparents, Alan (89) and Beatrice (86), are trapped on board the Silver Shadow cruise ship quarantined off Recife in Brazil. May I appeal to the Foreign Secretary for his help to get them home?
Minister reply
We have been following the course carefully; Royal Caribbean has indicated it will offer at least three charter flights—one to UK, one to US, and one to Canada—to get passengers home.
Layla Moran
Lib Dem
Oxford West and Abingdon
Question
I would like to add my voice to those thanking FCO workers. I understand his arguments about airlines but we must accept that they cannot afford to run flights due to financial pressures, would he consider providing a subsidy for the airlines?
Minister reply
The hon. Lady raises an important point; we want commercial airlines to fly, and we will work with them to see what support can be provided.
Craig Whittaker
Con
Calder Valley
Question
It is good to know that we now have clarity on global travel over the next 30 days. To put constituents’ minds at rest, can my right hon. Friend confirm that travel agents and airlines should be issuing refunds to those cancelling travel arrangements over the next 30 days, not particularly the insurance companies?
Minister reply
I will not give legal advice or commercial advice to either the operators or the insurers, but I can tell my hon. Friend that the Transport Secretary has engaged very closely with all the different sectors to make sure that we protect the consumers—passengers—who find themselves at risk.
Kevin Brennan
Lab
Cardiff West
Question
Quite rightly, hon. Members have mentioned the case of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe in Iran, but may I ask the Foreign Office not to lose sight of people such as Luke Symons, my constituent, who is held captive by the Houthis in Yemen at this time? Can any pressure be brought through the channel of discussions with the Iranian authorities?
Minister reply
The hon. Gentleman is absolutely right. Just to be clear, when we speak to any of our Iranian interlocutors, we raise every case of dual nationals—or, indeed, the British Council employee—who have been detained.
Laura Trott
Cons
Sevenoaks
Question
I have two separate cases of constituents stranded in Peru, one of whom is a young woman travelling on her own. I understand the stress that our consular service is under at the moment, but those people cannot get through to the embassy, nor to the emergency hotline. Will my right hon. Friend look at their cases urgently and do all that he can to get them home?
Minister reply
I thank my hon. Friend, and of course we will look at those cases. In areas where we do not have a large or substantial consular presence, we are obviously going to have to innovate and still provide practical advice and consular support as best we can.
Patrick Grady
SNP
Glasgow North
Question
What discussions is the Foreign Secretary having with the Home Secretary about foreign nationals in this country who find themselves in a similar situation? I have a constituent who is self-isolating in line with the guidance, yet she is being told that her visa will be over-stayed and that she needs to leave the country. What thought are the Government giving to these kinds of situations, especially if, when such people get to the end of their quarantine, there are no flights home?
Minister reply
Of course, we have foreign nationals here who are in very similar positions to the ones that UK nationals themselves are in around the world. We will of course look at those cases as sympathetically and constructively as possible.
Stephen Hammond
Con
Croydon Central
Question
The Foreign Secretary spoke earlier about hundreds of thousands of UK nationals abroad, many of whom are travelling home, which might be taking longer than they expected. Can the Foreign Office be clear about any reciprocal medical arrangements in place in those areas? Many of those cases are UK citizens living in EU states, with which we were formerly partnered. Given that this morning the Chief Medical Officer said that this situation might last for 18 months, will the Foreign Secretary ask former EU partners to consider an elongation of our current reciprocal arrangements?
Minister reply
I thank my hon. Friend for the dual way in which he asked an excellent question, and also managed subtly to leverage in the whole question of Brexit phase 2 negotiations.
Torfaen
Question
Many constituents have contacted me about the differing approaches in other countries, not least to the issue of testing. I appreciate that different countries are at different stages of the outbreak, but can the Foreign Secretary reassure me that expertise and experience from all round the world will be fed into our approach on a daily basis?
Minister reply
The hon. Gentleman is right to note that different countries are acting in different ways, and as he says, some of that is because they are at different stages of the peak and trough of dealing with coronavirus.
Ben Everitt
Con
North Cornwall
Question
Members of the House, and journalists outside it, are perfectly at liberty to ask what lessons we have learned from our European partners, but it is worth reminding the House that the Chief Medical Officer who is leading the response to this crisis is a professor of epidemiology. He is literally the right man in the right job at the right time. The Foreign Secretary updated the House on his conversations with our European partners, but will he also update it on his conversations with other international partners such as the US, and other global institutions?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend is right to pay tribute to Professor Whitty, and along with Sir Patrick Vallance we have some of the finest expert evidence in the world coming to us.
Andrew Slaughter
Lab
Hammersmith
Question
Those of us who represent large numbers of EU citizens are hearing concerning accounts of what is happening in their home countries. There are towns in northern Italy, of a similar size to many of our constituencies, that have seen thousands of cases of the virus, and hundreds of deaths. I assume the Foreign Secretary is getting similar responses from our embassies around the world. Are those being used to inform the UK response, even if it involves a worst-case scenario?
Minister reply
The hon. Gentleman is right to say that we must learn from and try to understand more about covid-19 and what its impact will be in the UK, based on the experience that we are seeing in real time across the world.
James Sunderland
Lab
Workington
Question
Will the Secretary of State please reassure the House that appropriate medical support is readily available for British Government and military personnel overseas, and that specialist medical evacuation will be available for them in extremis?
Minister reply
We take very seriously the security and protection of all UK personnel in the Foreign Office, the Ministry of Defence, and the Department for International Development, both in the UK and across the network.
Gavin Newlands
SNP
Paisley and Renfrewshire North
Question
This measure is entirely commensurate with the situation we face, and I support it. However, as the Member of Parliament for Glasgow airport, and the thousands of jobs that it supports, may I ask what assessment the Government have made of the impact of covid-19 measures on the industry, by which I mean airlines, airports, baggage handlers and so on—the list could go on? What will the Government do to support that industry?
Minister reply
The Government are very conscious of the challenge facing the airline industry and its related sectors, and the Foreign Office must ensure that it takes what I think the hon. Gentleman described as a commensurate policy approach.
Rob Butler
Con
North Cornwall
Question
I echo the compliments from across the House for UK consular staff overseas. I recognise that they have limited resources, but will my right hon. Friend consider whether there is any scope for them to offer at least a basic service at weekends?
Minister reply
I reassure my hon. Friend that Foreign Office staff are working round the clock and around weekends.
Stephen Kinnock
Lab
Aberafan Maesteg
Question
To follow the question from my right hon. Friend the Member for Exeter, may I press the Foreign Secretary on the talks on the future relationship with the European Union? Those incredibly complex and multi-faceted talks are absorbing a tremendous amount of Government time and attention. Rather than trying to fight a war on two fronts, and stretching Government bandwidth to breaking point, surely the time is coming to request an extension to the transition period.
Minister reply
I am sure the hon. Gentleman would never put his ideological desire to stay in the EU ahead of the practical diplomacy that we face in the months ahead. I understand why he has asked that question. As far as I am aware, negotiations can still proceed, given all the logistical arrangements we have in place. We are confident that we can get this done, and I do not think that delaying Brexit negotiations would give anyone on either side of the channel the certainty they need.
Question
I echo the concerns of other colleagues about the situation for British nationals in Peru, where I have a constituent with a serious underlying health condition who is stranded. As we have heard, not only is the British embassy apparently closed, but the phone number that people have been told to use to obtain information is apparently not being answered.
Minister reply
I thank the hon. Lady for the constructive and detailed way in which she raised the case of her constituent, and I am happy to look at such cases. The Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Wendy Morton) has already indicated that she will take up some of the other cases in Peru, and we will do everything we can to provide that support and advice, and to provide those who need to return with the means to do so.
Tim Farron
Lib Dem
Westmorland and Lonsdale
Question
I have written to the right hon. Gentleman about my constituent, Eddie, who is 19 and stranded in Morocco, and I hope he will intervene to bring him, and others, home. Travel is also vital for the nation’s supplies, and 45% of the food that Britain eats comes from overseas and is imported.
Minister reply
I will of course look at the case of the hon. Gentleman’s constituent very carefully—a number of other Moroccan cases have been raised—and get back to him with as clear a steer as possible. He is right to raise all those issues about supply chains; again, that was one of the issues I discussed with the Transport Secretary.
Navendu Mishra
Lab
Stockport
Question
I have written to the Secretary of State regarding a constituent stranded in Austria. I am told that there is a lack of testing kits and there are issues with travelling back. There is already chaos with repatriation, even before the majority of countries move into emergency lockdown phases or close their tourist venues.
Minister reply
We will of course look very carefully at any case. The hon. Gentleman has written to me all about constituents in Austria. There is no doubt that the Foreign Office, as with the rest of the Government—most obviously the NHS—will come under pressure. The key thing is that we have the means and the agility to prioritise, to ensure that dealing with covid-19 is the top priority as we go through this challenge.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Question
I thank the Secretary of State for his commitment and for his and his staff’s sterling efforts on our behalf. We are encouraged by what he has said today. On the island of Ireland, both north and south, people travel to attend churches—people from Northern Ireland travel southwards, for example—in order to preach and participate in meetings.
Minister reply
I totally understand the point the hon. Gentleman makes. The obvious thing is to keep following the Government’s medical advice and, in relation to devolved matters, the advice given by the Northern Ireland Executive. I can also give him reassurance in relation to the latest announcement by the Irish Government that all persons entering Ireland from overseas will be asked to self-quarantine for 14 days.
Clive Betts
Lab
Sheffield South East
Question
I appreciate that the Foreign Secretary may have to raise this issue with colleagues, but people are naturally drawing comparisons between actions in this country—the advice against going to pubs, restaurants and places of entertainment, for example—with the position in France and other countries, where such visits are banned completely.
Minister reply
I understand the point the hon. Gentleman raises. It is a fair question, but we have taken that position, first, because we are following the scientific advice that applies to the UK, and secondly, because covid-19 is affecting different countries at different paces and some of them are at a different place on the curve in terms of the spread of coronavirus.
Question
Although I am hugely appreciative of the pressure that consular staff are under, for everybody who has a loved one—particularly a vulnerable loved one—trapped in this situation, it is the end of the world. I have a constituent on the Silver Spirit cruise ship outside Darwin who is 78 years old and in extremely poor health.
Minister reply
I reassure the hon. Lady that, in both the cases she referred to, we are actively looking at the solutions we can provide for UK nationals. She is right to raise the issue of scalable support. I am making sure that all the resource available will be focused on coronavirus in the weeks ahead, so of course there is an element of scalability.
Question
Another case of people stuck in Morocco was raised with me today—that of a family with three young children. I understand they were due to fly back on 24 March, but flights have been suspended.
Minister reply
The Africa Minister has already made it clear that he will follow up on all those cases, so we will certainly look at the case of the hon. Lady’s constituents. I am writing to all hon. Members with practical advice about how they can stay up to date by following the real-time advice.
Question
Many constituents up and down the country are doing the right and inevitable thing and cancelling Easter holidays, but far too many are doing the hokey-cokey between travel agents, the FCO advice and insurance companies.
Minister reply
I think the clarity of the advice we have given today will provide the nudge, to use the hon. Gentleman’s expression. The most important thing we can do for our constituents, the airline industry and, indeed, the insurers is to give clear advice. We advise against all but essential global travel.
Alan Brown
SNP
Clydebank and Rutherglen
Question
The MP inquired about the Government's efforts to identify critical air freight routes, airlines, and support packages needed to maintain essential cargo transport amidst halted non-essential passenger flights. He noted that a significant portion of air freight typically travels on passenger aircraft, highlighting the financial burden this places on either the industry or the government.
Minister reply
The Minister assured the MP that he has discussed this issue with the Transport Secretary and emphasised ongoing conversations with airlines to ensure sustainable paths forward, despite the lack of a clear division between freight and passenger travel. He underscored the Government's commitment to working closely with the industry.
Claudia Webbe
Lab
West Ham
Question
The MP expressed concern for constituents with family members abroad and advocated for international co-ordination in developing, testing, and rolling out potential cures and vaccines. She suggested a joint mechanism to guide such global efforts.
Minister reply
The Minister acknowledged the importance of international collaboration and highlighted existing multilateral efforts aimed at research and development of vaccines and capacity building for vulnerable countries. He offered to review any detailed proposals if the MP writes to him.
Deidre Brock
SNP
Edinburgh North and Leith
Question
The MP asked about the possibility of implementing a mandatory 14-day self-quarantine period for passengers arriving in the UK, similar to measures taken by the Irish Government.
Minister reply
The Minister clarified that this decision falls under the Home Secretary's purview and stated that current travel advice changes do not necessitate such a measure. He further mentioned that current scientific guidance does not suggest implementing a mandatory quarantine at present.
Shadow Comment
Emily Thornberry
Shadow Comment
The Shadow Secretary of State criticised the Government’s response to the travel disruptions caused by the pandemic, particularly regarding consular support for British nationals abroad. She highlighted cases like Tom in Peru who faced difficulties due to closed borders and unresponsive embassies, questioning the adequacy of current protocols and the speed of FCO advice updates. Thornberry urged for more direct action from the Government to assist stranded individuals and called on Britain to take a leadership role in better managing future outbreaks.
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About House of Commons Debates
House of Commons debates take place in the main chamber of the House of Commons. These debates cover a wide range of topics including government policy, legislation, and current affairs. MPs from all parties can participate, question ministers, and hold the government accountable for its decisions.