Parliament will reopen digitally in little over a week’s time to allow ministers to face scrutiny over their much-criticised handling of the coronavirus pandemic, it was confirmed today.
The House of Commons will sit on April 21, the scheduled end of its Easter recess, despite the UK continuing to be under a stringent lockdown.
Ministers, Commons’ authorities and opposition leaders will sit down this week to discuss how technology can be used to avoid the need for MPs to return to Westminster from their constituencies across the country.
Although MPs are classed as key workers and are able to travel, such movement and the resulting close proximity of politicians in the Palace of Westminster would risk jarring the public mood while millions of people are stuck at home.
Parliamentary committees have continued remotely during the recess using video-teleconferencing technology and the talks will look at ways this can be used for the wider chamber.
The move came after new Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer wrote to Commons’ Leader Jacob Rees-Mogg, demanding ‘urgent talks’ about reopening Parliament.
A spokeswoman Mr Rees-Mogg this morning said: ‘Parliament will return on April 21 to fulfil its essential constitutional functions of conducting scrutiny, authorising spending and making laws.
‘In these unprecedented times, technological solutions have already been implemented for select committee and options are being prepared for the Speaker, the government and other parties to consider next week.
‘It is important that we have a comprehensive solution that does not inadvertently exclude any members. The Leader of the House of Commons will respond to the Leader of the Opposition’s letter in the usual way.’
The move came after new Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer (pictured today) wrote to Commons’ Leader Jacob Rees-Mogg, demanding ‘urgent talks’ about reopening Parliament
A spokeswoman Mr Rees-Mogg this morning said: ‘Parliament will return on April 21 to fulfil its essential constitutional functions of conducting scrutiny, authorising spending and making laws’
Sir Keir, who replaced Jeremy Corbyn as leader last week, said the Commons must open for business after Easter, even if it means MPs asking questions over webcams.
His calls have been backed by the Liberal Democrats and SNP as Ed Davey and Ian Blackford blasted the lack of parliamentary scrutiny as the death toll nears 10,000.
In his letter to Mr Rees-Mogg, Sir Keir wrote: ‘Parliament has a responsibility to put questions to ministers at this time of national crisis.
‘The best decisions are those that are challenged and subject to scrutiny. And by that process issues can be resolved, mistakes quickly rectified and individual concerns addressed, which will help save lives and protect our country.
‘But if Parliament is not sitting or functioning effectively that cannot happen.’
Sir Keir (right), who replaced Jeremy Corbyn as leader last week, said the Commons must open for business after Easter, even if it means MPs asking questions over webcams. His calls have been backed by the Liberal Democrats and SNP as Ed Davey (left) and Ian Blackford blasted the lack of parliamentary scrutiny as the death toll nears 10,000
This morning he told Sky’s Ridge on Sunday the Government must outline its exit strategy for the next 12 months and insisted Parliament must be recalled ‘as soon as possible’.
Sir Keir said there is a ‘mismatch’ in what Health Secretary Matt Hancock and frontline NHS staff are saying about the availability of personal protective equipment (PPE).
He said: ‘This is a difficult exercise, I understand the Government is trying to rise to the challenge here but there’s a mismatch and that’s the sort of thing that Parliament needs to pursue through individual MPs putting the points to ministers.’
Sir Keir, asked if nurses should follow Royal College of Nursing guidance and effectively refuse to treat coronavirus patients if they do not have the right protective equipment and clothing, replied: ‘They’re in a position to give guidance to those in their association and they should give that guidance.’
In a letter to Commons Leader Jacob Rees-Mogg, Sir Keir (pictured with his wife Vic on Thursday) wrote: ‘Parliament has a responsibility to put questions to ministers at this time of national crisis’
The former director of prosecutions for the Crown Prosecution Service said Labour supported ‘many of the measures’ implemented by the Government but set out a list of questions that ‘need to be answered’.
He called for clarity over an exit strategy from the lockdown imposed on the UK, along with answers over the ‘ramping up of testing’ for Covid-19 and the supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) for frontline NHS staff.
The 57-year-old has requested a meeting with Mr Rees-Mogg and Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle next week to discuss Parliament resuming on April 21 so such questions can be put to ministers directly.
His letter comes after Home Secretary Priti Patel told reporters during a Downing Street briefing she did ‘not know yet’ whether the Commons would meet as planned in little over a week’s time.
Home Secretary Priti Patel told reporters during a Downing Street briefing she did ‘not know yet’ whether the Commons would meet as planned in little over a week’s time
Sir Keir added: ‘I am writing to request urgent talks with you and the Speaker of the House this week about how we can guarantee the return of Parliament after the Easter recess.
‘I accept that it is difficult for Parliament to return to business as usual at the moment, but there are clear examples around the world of parliaments operating effectively by using new technologies and different models.’
Work has been commissioned by Mr Hoyle to ensure a ‘virtual’ chamber can be up and running after the Easter recess so MPs can return to duty.
It could see MPs questioning ministers from their homes by webcam if the lockdown is still in place, with senior ministers signalling there is no intention to curb the social distancing measures.
The Palace of Westminster currently requires MPs and peers to be physically present to walk through voting lobbies when passing legislation.
But the Speaker has indicated exceptions could be made to ensure Parliament can function during the pandemic.