Labour and Lib Dems call for immediate return of Parliament to scrutinise Covid-19 response

Senior politicians have demanded Parliament is recalled immediately to hold the Government to account over the handling of the coronavirus crisis, after it would signalled there would be no early return to the House of Commons.

By Geraldine Scott Sunday, 12th April 2020, 1:31 pm Updated Sunday, 12th April 2020, 1:34 pm

Commons Leader Jacob Rees-Mogg has insisted MPs will return on April 21, the date agreed before the Easter recess.

MPs approved the Easter adjournment timings on March 25, minutes before the chamber rose, at a time when the increasing impact of Covid-19 was clear.

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The motion was unopposed although several concerns were raised by opposition parties about their inability to scrutinise major decisions in this four-week period.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer (left), and Liberal Democrat acting leader Sir Ed Davey. Photo: PA

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has demanded “urgent talks” with the Government to discuss how MPs can put questions to ministers given the rising death toll and concerns over personal protective equipment supplies to NHS staff, among other issues.

He added Parliament must be recalled “as soon as possible” when asked about the issue on Sky News’ Sophy Ridge on Sunday.

And Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Sir Ed Davey said: "The Government's failure to deliver on key promises to NHS and social care workers, especially over supplies of protective equipment, has become a national scandal.

“On top of this, we are now hearing reports of shortages of critical medicines for treating Covid-19 patients in some hospitals.

"Jacob Rees-Mogg's confirmation that Parliament will be recalled on 21 April - nearly ten days from now - is not good enough.

“MPs from across the House must have the opportunity to ask Ministers the urgent questions at the earliest opportunity, particularly on life or death issues like the supply of protective kit and essential medicine.

A letter signed by a cross-party group of MPs demanding an “immediate virtual recall of Parliament” has also been sent to First Secretary of State Dominic Raab, who is deputising for Prime Minister Boris Johnson as he recovers from Covid-19.

Talks involving Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle, the Government, opposition parties and parliamentary officials are expected to continue this week about proposals for a “virtual Parliament” and what role technology can play as social distancing measures remain in place.

But only the Government can request the Speaker to recall the Commons.

A spokesman for Commons Leader Mr Rees-Mogg 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 committees 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.”

It is unclear whether a small group of MPs will still attend the chamber after recess, with others allowed to question ministers from their homes by webcam.

Work has been commissioned by Sir Lindsay to ensure a “virtual” chamber can be up and running after the Easter recess so MPs can return to duty.

MPs and peers are required to be physically present to walk through voting lobbies when passing legislation, with proxy voting allowed in some circumstances, but the Speaker has indicated exceptions could be made to ensure Parliament can function during the pandemic.

Before the recess, opposition parties and the Government sought to reach compromises to avoid votes although concerns about emergency legislation connected to coronavirus were left unresolved.