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Wuhan Coronavirus
11 February 2020
Lead MP
Matthew Hancock
Debate Type
Ministerial Statement
Tags
NHSEmploymentForeign Affairs
Other Contributors: 26
At a Glance
Matthew Hancock raised concerns about wuhan coronavirus 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
With permission, I updated the House on the UK's response to the Wuhan coronavirus. The Government has taken powers under Public Health Acts to isolate those at risk of spreading the virus, which are necessary for protecting public health and ensuring NHS staff can carry out their duties effectively. As of today, eight people in England have tested positive for coronavirus; all cases are being managed by the NHS with expert care. Contact tracing is ongoing and has successfully identified further cases and provided support to British nationals abroad. The Foreign Office advises against travel to Hubei province and recommends self-isolation for those returning from certain areas if they develop symptoms. We will monitor scientific evidence closely, including the 14-day incubation period guideline. A £40 million investment in vaccine research has been announced, along with a new capital facility to support NHS infrastructure improvements needed for coronavirus response.
Steve McCabe
Lab
Birmingham Selly Oak
Question
What measures will be put in place to protect NHS staff, some of whom have contracted the virus, and ensure that their families are cared for?
Minister reply
The Government has a duty of care towards all staff. Measures include isolation facilities and support from Public Health England, ensuring proper care for affected individuals and their families.
Caroline Lucas
Green
Brighton Pavilion
Question
Does the Minister agree that we must prioritise international collaboration to tackle this virus? What steps is he taking to ensure rapid sharing of information?
Minister reply
We are already working closely with international partners, including the WHO. The UK contributes actively to global efforts in research and intelligence sharing.
Rob Flello
Lab
Stoke-on-Trent South
Question
Given the potential for a pandemic, what steps are being taken to ensure that local areas have adequate resources and capacity to respond effectively?
Minister reply
Clinical commissioning groups and trusts are making plans based on guidance from Public Health England. Continuous monitoring ensures robustness in local responses.
Rehman Chishti
Con
Gillingham and Rainham
Question
Does the Minister agree that this is not a time to panic but to act responsibly? What advice would he give to people worried about their safety?
Minister reply
It's important to remain calm while taking sensible precautions. The NHS 111 and Public Health England guidelines provide clear instructions for individuals.
Andrew Mitchell
Lab
Stretford and Urmston
Question
What measures are being taken to ensure that the capital facility announced today is accessible to all hospitals, including those in less affluent areas?
Minister reply
The facility will be available to all NHS providers across England. Fair distribution of resources is a priority.
Jon Ashworth
Lab
Delyn
Question
The MP thanked the Secretary of State for advance sight of his statement and laid regulations. He expressed support for quarantine arrangements under the Public Health Acts but sought clarity on when the House would debate these regulations, stressing transparency and scrutiny. Further, he inquired about clinical commissioning groups’ pandemic planning, robust local plans resourcing, NHS 111’s capacity, and extra resources for community health trusts. He welcomed travel advice but requested alignment between Foreign Office and Public Health England recommendations and asked about international research efforts.
Minister reply
The Secretary of State thanked the support from the Opposition and stated that regulations laid yesterday are law now, with a requirement to debate and pass them within 28 days. He confirmed close links with local authorities for public health responses, clarified that GP capital upgrades would be considered if necessary but advised people to call NHS 111 first. He stressed the importance of clear advice: calling 111 if suspecting coronavirus without leaving home.
Jeremy Hunt
Con
Godalming and Ash
Question
The MP thanked the Health Secretary for handling the crisis and asked about preparations to ensure urgent illnesses such as cancer are treated promptly, even amid a potential virus explosion in the UK.
Minister reply
The Minister confirmed extensive plans are already in place. The NHS has capability to cope with up to 50 cases of coronavirus with high-level intensity and isolation measures, capable of expanding to accommodate up to 500 cases without impacting wider NHS operations.
Central Ayrshire
Question
The MP welcomes the statement but raises concerns about transparency, proportionality, and public safety measures. She questions why only symptomatic people returning from high-risk countries are advised to self-isolate, and expresses concern over the lack of protective gear for bus drivers transporting quarantined individuals.
Minister reply
The minister acknowledges the support expressed by the MP and confirms that all measures being taken are based on clinical advice. He assures that monitoring is enhanced for all returning travellers and highlights the importance of adhering to epidemiological science. The minister also mentions that there is a significant publicity campaign in place to inform the public about handwashing, calling 111, and other precautionary measures.
Maria Miller
Con
Basingstoke
Question
The MP asks for assurance regarding preparedness of NHS to cope with potential new cases in the UK.
Minister reply
The minister assures that the NHS is well-prepared and capable of handling any new cases, emphasising continuous preparation for future developments.
Angela Eagle
Lab
Wallasey
Question
The MP queries how people can distinguish between symptoms of ordinary flu and novel coronavirus given spread beyond China.
Minister reply
The minister explains that clinical advice should be followed, with higher risk if one has traveled to affected areas. He emphasises the importance of calling 111 for testing when needed.
James Davies
Con
Gower
Question
The MP asks about likely timescales for vaccine development and Britain's contribution.
Minister reply
The minister mentions £40 million funding into global and domestic efforts, noting that vaccine development takes time due to the nature of science.
Clive Efford
Lab
Eltham
Question
The MP inquires about advice for employers regarding widespread outbreak and potential financial penalties faced by employees.
Minister reply
The minister acknowledges the concern but notes that current employment impact is minimal due to low case numbers. He assures consideration of such scenarios.
Andrew Jones
Con
Harrogate
Question
The MP thanks the Minister for updating the House and requests continuous updates on infection control measures.
Minister reply
The minister commits to maintaining transparency and communication, praising Members for their reasonable approach during a fast-moving situation.
Caroline Lucas
Green
Brighton Pavilion
Question
The MP raises concerns about local health services closing and requests more timely public health information dissemination across Departments.
Minister reply
The minister acknowledges the importance of communication, especially through the Department for Education. He assures that necessary actions are taken proportionately and provides reassurances to the public.
Caroline Johnson
Con
Sleaford and North Hykeham
Question
The MP inquires about policies and procedures to ensure NHS staff safety when treating patients possibly with coronavirus.
Minister reply
The minister confirms that provision of protective gear is part of the wider package of measures to keep NHS staff safe.
Hilary Benn
Lab
Leeds Central
Question
The MP seeks latest scientific advice on vaccine availability timeline.
Minister reply
The minister explains that while there are promising signs, pre-clinical and clinical trials are necessary to ensure safety before a vaccine is available. He emphasises the importance of ensuring no harm from a potential vaccine.
Richard Drax
Con
South Dorset
Question
On the point about mortality, leaked reports are coming out of China that the number of those who are dying is considerably higher than we first anticipated. Is that true? Is that what my right hon. Friend is hearing? Will he also tell the House, and thereby the country, who is most vulnerable?
Minister reply
It is difficult in a country dealing with a very large-scale outbreak, as China is, for the information to be completely accurate. However, a report published in the last 48 hours of a study of 1,099 cases from China has demonstrated that in those cases, the number of children who have been affected and symptomatic is very small. That gives us hope—and some evidence—that the impact is largely on the elderly and frail, less so on people of working age and much less so on children.
Munira Wilson
Lib Dem
Twickenham
Question
The Secretary of State has fielded various questions on the timescales for a vaccine. If I may be so bold, the chief medical officer told MPs last week that nothing less than a year should be promised for the development of a vaccine or treatment. Does he agree, therefore, that this is very much a long-term solution and that we must redouble our efforts on the public communication campaign on preventive and self-isolation measures?
Minister reply
Yes, I do. On isolation, in particular, the two go hand in hand. People can play a part in combating this virus by washing their hands and using tissues and, if they are symptomatic, by calling 111 before going to a doctor and self-isolating when necessary.
Ben Everitt
Con
North East Cambridgeshire
Question
I thank the Secretary of State and his team for keeping me and my hon. Friend the Member for Milton Keynes South (Iain Stewart) updated throughout this process. It has been a very worrying time, but that information has been very useful.
Minister reply
I pay tribute to my hon. Friend and my hon. Friend the Member for Milton Keynes South (Iain Stewart), who, as a Whip, cannot speak but who has also been working incredibly hard on behalf of people in Milton Keynes to reassure them, as my hon. Friend rightly says, that the extra 100 people from Wuhan that the town has welcomed are now safely there in Milton Keynes.
Ruth Cadbury
Lab
Brentford and Isleworth
Question
My constituents’ mother/mother-in-law has been visiting them from Wuhan on a six-month visa that is due to expire at the end of this month, when normally she would expect to go home. What advice are the Government giving to visiting Chinese nationals, particularly from Wuhan and Hubei province, about extending their visas in this unusual situation?
Minister reply
I am very happy to ensure that that case is taken up with the Home Office.
Alec Shelbrooke
Con
Wetherby and Easingwold
Question
I congratulate my right hon. Friend on the way he and his officials have handled this crisis, which has helped to keep the threat at “moderate”, and Members across the House on the non-partisan approach they have taken. I am concerned, however, that because we have broadcast that the threat is moderate people may become complacent.
Minister reply
That is an excellent idea. We are open to all ideas of that kind and I will look directly into it.
Kevin Brennan
Lab
Cardiff West
Question
I thank the Secretary of State for coming to the House and making this statement. I have a question about the use of this term “super-spreader”. In past outbreaks, people categorised in that way have often been demonised.
Minister reply
This is a really good point, and I want to make two points on it. First, those who have contracted the virus are ill and deserve our sympathy and support.
Alex Chalk
Con
Cheltenham
Question
I thank the Secretary of State for his measured statement. Does he agree that we should not allow our proper focus on the risk from coronavirus to blunt our efforts in respect of seasonal flu, which, as the chief medical officer indicated, kills around 8,000 people a year?
Minister reply
It is absolutely true that handwashing and “catch it, bin it, kill it” are the right responses to flu as well as coronavirus. We are coming towards the end of the traditional flu season, which this year in England came early, in December, and thus far—touch wood—has thankfully been largely mitigated and gone away.
Barnsley South
Question
With regard to the capital facility that has been announced, can the Secretary of State outline the total amount of funding allocated to the NHS and can he say whether this is new money or a loan that will have to be paid back?
Minister reply
This will be new money to those NHS organisations bidding for it, and we have not put a cap on it. We are inviting bids from NHS organisations and will very rapidly assess those bids.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Question
With universities in Northern Ireland cancelling trips to China individually, can the Secretary of State outline whether the Government intend to issue guidelines to stop travel between and to infected areas? Further, is there any intention to do routine tests on anyone recently returned from the infected areas?
Minister reply
We have enhanced monitoring in place on flights from the areas I mentioned, which is important, and of course we keep all options under review, because the most important thing is to follow the scientific advice wherever possible and to keep people in this country safe.
Shadow Comment
Jon Ashworth
Shadow Comment
The Opposition expressed appreciation for the Government's approach to quarantine arrangements and supported the use of Public Health Acts. Questions were raised about parliamentary scrutiny of regulations, robustness of local plans by clinical commissioning groups and trusts, capacity of NHS 111, resources for community health trusts, and availability of necessary equipment for GPs. The shadow also inquired about alignment between Foreign Office and Public Health England advice on travel and monitoring at airports from affected regions. Questions were asked regarding international research collaboration and vaccine development efforts.
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