Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Covid-19 Restrictions

Wednesday 18 November 2020 · 4 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

  • The UK Government works closely with the devolved Administrations to ensure consistency across the United Kingdom, though there are differences in restrictions due to varying transmission rates.
  • Any policy that allows members of the public to buy vodka but not baby food is devoid of common sense, testing patience and sowing confusion which undermines efforts to tackle the virus across the United Kingdom.
  • My right hon. Friend is certainly right that these closures have caused a certain amount of confusion for people living along the border, but I am not sure that they have been sensible.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Aaron Bell
NHS Wales
Context

The MP asked about the effectiveness comparison between the UK government's and Welsh government's measures against the pandemic.

Question

What comparative assessment has been made of the effectiveness of the covid-19 restrictions implemented in Wales and England?

Answer from David Davies

The UK Government works closely with the devolved Administrations to ensure consistency across the United Kingdom. There is uniformity in restrictions implemented, though there are differences due to varying transmission rates.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific comparative effectiveness analysis

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Q2 Aaron Bell
Wales
Context

The MP questioned the necessity and logic behind the Welsh Government's decision to impose a restriction on non-essential items in supermarkets.

Question

We will get through this pandemic only with a measure of trust between the public, the Government and the Welsh Government. Does he agree that the Welsh Government were wrong to introduce their nanny-state ban on supermarkets selling non-essential items during their lockdown?

Answer from David Davies

My hon. Friend makes a useful point. Any policy that allows members of the public to buy vodka but not baby food is devoid of common sense, testing patience and sowing confusion which undermines efforts to tackle the virus across the United Kingdom.

Not addressed: The Welsh Government's decision on supermarket items during lockdown

How: Undermining The Effectiveness

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Q3 Gerald Jones Lab Merthyr Tydfil and Aberdare
NHS Wales
Context

The MP welcomed the Welsh government's decision to implement a firebreak lockdown, noting a decrease in cases. He criticizes his opponents for previously describing it as unnecessary.

Question

Following the Welsh Labour Government's decision to introduce a firebreak lockdown in Wales, coronavirus cases have begun to fall across the board. At the time, the leader of the Welsh Conservatives described the 17-day lockdown as “unnecessary” and “disproportionate”, yet just days later, the Minister and his Welsh Conservative colleagues voted for a lockdown in England that is at least a fortnight longer and may last longer still. Will the Minister finally join me in welcoming the Welsh Government's decision? Is it not time for him and his Welsh Conservative colleagues to put party politics to one side and support responsible actions to combat the pandemic that are in the interests of the people of Wales?

Answer from David Davies

I can assure the hon. Gentleman that it is the UK Government who have been trying to put party politics to one side. We invite Ministers from other governments to collaborate on tackling the virus. However, cases and testing are higher in Wales compared to England.

Not addressed: Welsh government's decision on firebreak lockdown

How: Collaboration

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Q4 David Jones Con
Wales Local Government
Context

The MP highlighted the disruption faced by people due to the Welsh Government's decision to close the borders, affecting work, shopping, and social activities.

Question

As my hon. Friend will know, the border between England and north Wales is densely populated, with many thousands of people travelling across it in both directions every day for work, social and business purposes, and many other purposes too. However, the Welsh Government have sought to close that border, causing considerable inconvenience and disruption to those people. What future arrangements can be put in place to ensure that there is no repetition of this disruption?

Answer from David Davies

My right hon. Friend is certainly right that these closures have caused a certain amount of confusion for people living along the border, but I am not sure that they have been sensible.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Future arrangements to prevent disruption due to border restrictions

How: Confusion

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