Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

International Health Regulations

Tuesday 11 July 2023 · 3 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 0 Not answered 0

Key points

  • UK Government has been clear it will not sign up to any IHR amendment that compromises the UK's ability to make domestic decisions on public health.
  • UK has a commitment to implement international law but will not sign up to IHR amendments that compromise national decision-making.
  • Should the UK Government wish to accept an IHR amendment, it would prepare draft legislation and bring it before Parliament for approval.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Esther McVey Con Tatton
NHS
Context

The UK is negotiating proposed amendments to the International Health Regulations 2005 with other member states of the WHO. There are concerns about potential rule-making powers being given to the WHO director general, particularly concerning border closures and quarantining.

Question

What recent progress has been made in negotiations on amendments to the International Health Regulations? Will the proposed changes give new rule-making powers to the WHO director general?

Answer from Will Quince

The UK Government has been clear that it will not sign up to any IHR amendment or other instrument that would compromise the UK's ability to make domestic decisions on national measures concerning public health.

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Q2 Esther McVey Con Tatton
NHS
Context

There are concerns that proposed changes to the IHR may give new rule-making powers to the WHO director general, including border closures and quarantining. The WHO's own expert review committee has raised concerns over such power increases.

Question

Will the Minister assure me that the UK will not sign up to any IHR amendment or instrument that would compromise its ability to make domestic decisions on national measures concerning public health?

Answer from Will Quince

As my right hon. Friend will know, the UK has a strong commitment and duty to implement international law, but on this matter we have been absolutely clear. We will not sign up to any IHR amendment or other instrument that would compromise the UK's ability to make domestic decisions on national measures concerning public health.

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Q3 Andrew Bridgen Con
NHS
Context

There is uncertainty about whether the UK Parliament will get a vote on potential IHR amendments that might require changes in domestic law.

Question

Will the House of Commons get a vote on any amendments to the International Health Regulations, or will this not happen?

Answer from Will Quince

Should the UK Government wish to accept an IHR amendment, changes to domestic law may be required. The Government would prepare draft legislation and bring it before Parliament in the usual way. Sovereignty of the UK Parliament remains unchanged.

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