Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Covid-19: Public Inquiry

Wednesday 23 June 2021 · 5 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 3 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Prime Minister announced that the Government will consult the devolved Administrations about the scope and remit of the public inquiry.
  • The Minister agrees that there are serious questions about whether the money allocated to Scottish businesses has been used effectively.
  • The Minister confirms that matters related to patient discharge will be covered by the inquiry, which aims to be wide-ranging in its scope.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Tan Dhesi Lab Slough
Economy Scotland
Context

There is a debate around whether a public inquiry should be established to investigate the responses of both Governments during the pandemic.

Question

Whether he has had discussions with the Scottish Government on a public inquiry on the (a) Scottish and (b) UK Government's response to the covid-19 outbreak.

Answer from Iain Stewart

The Prime Minister announced that the Government will consult the devolved Administrations about the scope and remit of the public inquiry, and the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster has started these conversations.

Answered
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Q2 Rosie Cooper Lab
Economy Scotland
Context

The Scottish Government underspent their budget last year by hundreds of millions, raising questions about the adequacy and effectiveness of financial support provided to businesses.

Question

Does the Minister agree that any future covid inquiry must examine whether the financial support offered to businesses by both Governments was sufficient and whether it actually reached those who needed it?

Answer from Iain Stewart

The Minister agrees that there are serious questions about whether the money allocated to Scottish businesses has been used effectively, and hopes this will be part of the public inquiry's remit.

Answered
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Q3 Tan Dhesi Lab Slough
NHS
Context

The questioner highlights a tragic incident involving patients being discharged into care homes despite positive covid-19 tests.

Question

Does the Minister agree that any future pandemic inquiry must investigate how the discharge of those patients was ever allowed to happen?

Answer from Iain Stewart

The Minister confirms that such matters will be covered by the inquiry, which aims to be wide-ranging in its scope.

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Q4 Ian Murray Lab Edinburgh South
NHS Scotland
Context

The questioner points out criticisms and concerns regarding both UK and Scottish Government's handling of the pandemic, calling for an urgent separate inquiry.

Question

Will the Government agree with calls for an urgent separate Scottish judge-led public inquiry into both Governments' management of covid-19 in Scotland so that we can learn the lessons of covid and the grieving families can get the answers they so deserve?

Answer from Iain Stewart

The Government does not believe there is a need for a separate inquiry at this stage, as discussions are ongoing to establish the remit of the UK-wide inquiry which will cover both reserved and devolved matters.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Call for a separate Scottish public inquiry

How: In Response To The Hon. Gentleman'S First Point, We Are Still At The Very Early Stages

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Q5 Ian Murray Lab Edinburgh South
Transport Scotland
Context

The question arises from the inconsistency of covid-related travel decisions between Scotland and Greater Manchester, affecting sectors like weddings. A constituent's wedding in Edinburgh is limited to 50 guests while there are no such limits in London.

Question

One of the most frustrating elements for many people is the inconsistency of the decisions that have been made. Cases remain lower than they are in Dundee, yet Dundonians can travel all over Scotland while those living in Bolton are effectively banned from travelling to Scotland at all. These varying decisions are having a devastating impact on key sectors like weddings. A constituent's wedding in Edinburgh is limited to 50 guests but will travel to London the following week where there are no guest limits, and she was at Glasgow fan zone with 3,000 supporters last week. She is deeply frustrated.

Answer from Iain Stewart

The issue between the Mayor of Greater Manchester and the First Minister is not satisfactory, and I would urge them both to come to a sensible arrangement. The two Governments do work closely together with several meetings a week between the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and the First Minister or the Health Secretary and his counterparts to discuss arrangements. At the end of the day, the Scottish Government has the ability to make their own decisions, but they are coordinated on travel corridors.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The consequences of refusing to work together were not examined specifically.

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