Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

PPE Procurement

Wednesday 20 May 2020 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Bill Esterson asked about steps taken to ensure effective procurement of PPE between the UK and Scottish Governments.
  • The UK Government are working with the devolved Administrations to ensure that different parts of the UK do not compete against each other for PPE.
  • Regular discussions on PPE have been held with Donald Macaskill of Scottish Care.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Bill Esterson Lab Sefton Central
Scotland Foreign Affairs
Context

The procurement of personal protective equipment (PPE) in response to the COVID-19 outbreak is being questioned due to operational issues between UK and Scottish Governments.

Question

What steps he is taking to ensure that the procurement of personal protective equipment in response to the covid-19 outbreak operates effectively between the UK and Scottish Governments?

Answer from Douglas Ross

The UK Government are working tirelessly to procure PPE both internationally and domestically for UK-wide distribution. This is in addition to the Scottish Government's own procurement processes. We are working with the devolved Administrations to ensure that the different parts of the UK do not compete against one another in the international market, and that the Foreign and Commonwealth Office can make a single approach to foreign Governments.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The response does not provide specific details on steps taken for effective coordination between the UK and Scottish governments.

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Q2 Bill Esterson Lab Sefton Central
Care & Healthcare Workers NHS
Context

The lack of personal protective equipment is highlighted as a scandal contributing to high mortality rates in care homes across the UK.

Question

The lack of PPE is a scandal. It is part of the reason for the high mortality rate in care homes across the UK. What discussions has the Minister had with the Scottish Government to ensure that nations are not competing against one another for the vital PPE that our essential frontline workers need?

Answer from Douglas Ross

As I said in my opening remarks, the UK Government are committed to ensuring that we work as a United Kingdom, and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has taken a lead on this issue to ensure that that can happen. I have had regular discussions with Donald Macaskill of Scottish Care about PPE, but also about the outstanding work that our care workers are doing in care homes and around the community across Scotland and the whole of the United Kingdom; they deserve our praise for what they are doing.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The response avoids specifics on concrete actions taken to ensure nations do not compete for PPE.

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