Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Covid-19: Public Inquiry

Thursday 24 February 2022 · 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 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Prime Minister announced Baroness Heather Hallett as chair of the public inquiry into the covid-19 pandemic on 15 December.
  • Inquiry is set to begin its work in spring 2022.
  • Terms of reference are being negotiated and discussed with the devolved Assemblies.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Marsha de Cordova Lab Battersea
NHS
Context

The question follows a December announcement of the inquiry's chair appointment. The MP is asking about the timeline for beginning the inquiry.

Question

When will the public inquiry into the covid-19 pandemic begin, after the Prime Minister announced the appointment of Baroness Heather Hallett as chair?

Answer from Heather Wheeler

On 15 December, the Prime Minister announced the appointment of the right hon. Baroness Heather Hallett as chair of the public inquiry into covid-19. The inquiry is set to begin its work in spring 2022.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not provide a specific date or timeframe, only a general season (spring).

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Q2 Afzal Khan Lab Manchester Rusholme
NHS
Context

The question addresses concerns about the timing and purpose of the public inquiry, prompted by an announcement lifting all restrictions.

Question

Does the Minister agree that there is no reason why the public inquiry into covid-19 cannot move forward immediately now that all restrictions have been lifted? What does she have to say to families whose loved ones were affected?

Answer from Heather Wheeler

I sympathise fully with the hon. Gentleman. He has told us about his family bereavement many times, and we have all been very moved by those comments. The inquiry will play a key role in ensuring that we learn the lessons from this terrible pandemic... When the Prime Minister appointed Baroness Hallett as chair, he said he would consult her and Ministers from the devolved Administrations on the inquiry's terms of reference...

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not address the specific ask about whether the inquiry can start immediately.

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Q3 Marsha de Cordova Lab Battersea
NHS Women & Equalities
Context

The question arises from concerns about disabled people and those with underlying health conditions being disproportionately affected by the pandemic.

Question

Will this public inquiry have a specific focus on the disproportionate impact of covid on disabled people, given that six out of ten covid-related deaths were among disabled individuals?

Answer from Heather Wheeler

To answer the hon. Lady's question, and I will try to answer questions in my new role, I believe the answer is yes.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The response did not provide specific commitments or actions regarding focusing on disabled people's impact.

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Q4 Fleur Anderson Lab Putney
Parliamentary Procedure
Context

The question is prompted by ongoing promises and delays in setting a specific start date for the inquiry.

Question

When will the terms of reference be passed to the chair for consultations to begin, given that spring has vague timelines? Will bereaved families see the inquiry hearings start soon?

Answer from Heather Wheeler

Derbyshire is a lot further north than Putney and the daffodils are not out in my garden—we still have snowdrops, which are very pretty, so spring is definitely a moveable feast. The UK Government are negotiating and discussing terms of reference with the devolved Assemblies, and when we receive their replies, we will absolutely move this forward with Baroness Hallett, who is ready to go.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not give specific dates or a clear timeline for starting consultations and formal proceedings.

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