Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Covid-19: Ministerial Correspondence

Thursday 8 July 2021 · 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 1 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Andrew Gwynne asked if the Government would ensure all covid-19 related ministerial correspondence is made available to the public inquiry.
  • The Government confirmed it will cooperate fully with the public inquiry established under the Inquiries Act 2005.
  • Andrew Gwynne inquired about the legality of using private email accounts for sensitive Government discussions.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Andrew Gwynne Ind Gorton and Denton
NHS
Context

The MP seeks transparency regarding ministerial correspondence on the Government's handling of the pandemic.

Question

If he will take steps to ensure that all ministerial correspondence relating to the Government's response to the covid-19 pandemic is made available to the forthcoming public inquiry.

Answer from Michael Gove

As the Prime Minister has already confirmed, the public inquiry into covid-19 will be established under the Inquiries Act 2005, with formal powers to compel the production of relevant material and to take evidence in public under oath. The Government will, of course, co-operate with the inquiry fully.

Answered
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Q2 Andrew Gwynne Ind Gorton and Denton
Standards & Ethics
Context

The MP raises concerns about the use of private email accounts by ministers to discuss sensitive Government matters during the pandemic.

Question

Can the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster confirm whether using private email accounts to discuss sensitive Government business is in breach of the Freedom of Information Act, the Official Secrets Act, the Data Protection Act or the Public Records Act, which make requirements on the use of Government information? Will he guarantee today that all Ministers' private email accounts will be available to the public inquiry into the Government's mishandling of the covid pandemic?

Answer from Michael Gove

Any information that the inquiry needs, it will receive.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Whether using private email accounts for sensitive government business breaches specific Acts and guaranteeing availability of private emails to the public inquiry.

How: Deflection

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