Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Covid-19 Inquiry: Final Report

Thursday 9 June 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

  • Feryal Clark questioned the Minister about steps to ensure the UK Covid-19 Inquiry publishes its final report during this Parliament, highlighting 751 deaths in Enfield.
  • Alex Norris inquired about the desire of families who lost loved ones to know what happened, questioning if answers would be provided quickly within this Parliament.
  • Desmond Swayne asked if avoiding lockdowns was the most important lesson from the pandemic, to which the Minister responded that the Government aimed to avoid lockdowns where possible but sometimes it was necessary.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Feryal Clark Lab Enfield North
NHS
Context

The UK has seen a significant number of deaths due to the pandemic, leading to demands for transparency and accountability.

Question

If he will take steps to help ensure that the UK Covid-19 Inquiry publishes its final report in this Parliament. Seven hundred and fifty-one people died within 28 days of a positive test in Enfield; these individuals represent families grieving and seeking answers. They should not have to fight for those answers.

Answer from Michael Ellis

Under the Inquiries Act 2005, the process and timing of the inquiry are matters for its independent chair Baroness Heather Hallett. She has made it clear that she will be doing everything in her power to deliver recommendations as soon as possible.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Steps to ensure the final report is published this Parliament were not addressed directly.

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Q2 Alex Norris Labour (Co-op) Nottingham North and Kimberley
NHS
Context

The UK has seen over 170,000 deaths due to the pandemic, prompting families of victims to seek answers.

Question

More than 170,000 people have lost their lives to covid-19. The families desire rightly to know what happened; I did not hear him say that it would be valuable to have those answers as quickly as possible within the life of this Parliament.

Answer from Michael Ellis

To be fair, Baroness Hallett has made it clear that she will do everything in her power to deliver recommendations as soon as possible. I agree with that—it is part of the terms of reference—and we will work to that, as I know she will.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific steps to ensure swift delivery within this Parliament were not provided.

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Q3 Feryal Clark Lab Enfield North
NHS
Context

The UK has seen numerous deaths due to the pandemic, with Enfield recording 751 such cases. Families are seeking swift and respectful answers.

Question

Seven hundred and fifty-one people died within 28 days of a positive test in my borough of Enfield; these individuals represent families grieving and seeking answers. They should not have to fight for those answers, they deserve dignity and respect. I join my hon. Friend in asking the Minister to ensure the inquiry reports back as soon as possible.

Answer from Michael Ellis

Every effort will be made to go as fast as is reasonably possible while also getting proper inquiry results. I know that Baroness Hallett will work to that too.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Concrete steps for swift publication were not provided.

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Q4 Desmond Swayne Con New Forest West
Context

The UK's pandemic response has seen several lockdowns imposed.

Question

We already have the most important lesson, which is to avoid lockdowns, isn't it?

Answer from Michael Ellis

I think that my right hon. Friend will agree that the Prime Minister and the Government made every effort to avoid having lockdowns where that was possible. Unfortunately, occasionally, it was necessary so to do.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Direct commitment to avoiding future lockdowns was not given.

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