MPs will be asked to use Zoom for digital sessions as plans for a virtual parliament during the coronavirus crisis took a step forward.

Parliamentary officials are working on proposals to allow MPs and peers to hold the government to account remotely from 21 April following demands for greater scrutiny from Commons speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle and opposition politicians.

The plans discussed at a meeting of Commons authorities on Monday would allow MPs to dial in to prime minister's questions, as well as urgent questions and ministerial statements.

The government has been criticised for its handling of the crisis, including slow introduction of testing and lack of critical protective equipment for NHS staff and other key workers.

In a recent letter to MPs, Commons clerk John Benger said MPs will soon be offered a more secure version of Zoom, the video conferencing app, which is used by Downing Street for cabinet meetings and for the daily press briefings.

Loading....

He said: "We have worked at speed to enable this. We could not make it available sooner because we needed to ensure that our version of Zoom meets some basic legal, security and privacy requirements.

"This version of Zoom is closely aligned to that used within government and is therefore more secure than Zoom’s consumer offerings which many members are currently relying on."

Dr Benger said up to 20 virtual committees could start up after the Easter recess after the success of the first remote hearings to scrutinise health officials and government ministers. Officials are working with the BBC to hone their plans.

However Dr Benger said he was "reluctant to give an undertaking" that all parliamentary business could take place, due to the "scale and complexity" of the task.

The senior official also warned that the Commons will have to pass a resolution to change the way it operates – requiring MPs to attend in person.

Sir Lindsay confirmed that parliament will return after the Easter recess but the details would hammered out closer to the time.

He told BBC Breakfast: “In the end, we're not sure what the position will be. What we do know is that the House will return.

“It is how many people we will need in the House, whether that will be to extend the recess or not, but we'll only make that judgement when we get nearer, and we'll be making the right judgement, to make sure people are safe, taking the right health advice.

“What I would say is that if it needs a virtual parliament, of course, everything will be on offer and everything will be looked at. But that decision will be taken as we get nearer that time.”

Coronavirus: London on lockdown Show all 29 1 /29 Coronavirus: London on lockdown Coronavirus: London on lockdown A man walks down a deserted Camden High Street Photos Angela Christofilou Coronavirus: London on lockdown Goodge Street Station is one of the many stations closed to help reduce the spread Angela Christofilou Coronavirus: London on lockdown An empty street in the heart of Chinatown Angela Christofilou Coronavirus: London on lockdown People in masks in Chinatown a day after the lockdown Angela Christofilou Coronavirus: London on lockdown A near-empty Piccadilly Circus during the first week of lockdown Angela Christofilou Coronavirus: London on lockdown Sonja, my neighbour, who I photographed while taking a short walk. It was nice to briefly chat even from a distance Angela Christofilou Coronavirus: London on lockdown A couple sit on the empty steps of the statue Eros in Piccadilly Circus Angela Christofilou Coronavirus: London on lockdown Making sure I stay two-meters apart – D’Arblay Street, Soho Angela Christofilou Coronavirus: London on lockdown A mannequin behind a shop window. UK stores have closed until further notice Angela Christofilou Coronavirus: London on lockdown A notice displayed on a shop window in Camden Angela Christofilou Coronavirus: London on lockdown As part of the lockdown, all non-essential shops have been ordered to close.Image from Camden High Street Angela Christofilou Coronavirus: London on lockdown A skateboarder wearing a mask utilises his exercise allowance in the Camden area Angela Christofilou Coronavirus: London on lockdown Communities have been coming together in a time of need Angela Christofilou Coronavirus: London on lockdown A woman stands alone in a deserted Oxford Street. Up until a few weeks ago, on average, half a million people visited the street per day Angela Christofilou Coronavirus: London on lockdown A couple walk hand in hand down a street in Soho, a day before the stricter lockdown was announced Angela Christofilou Coronavirus: London on lockdown During the first week of March, shoppers focused on stockpiling necessities ahead of a countrywide lockdown Angela Christofilou Coronavirus: London on lockdown Many supermarkers are operating a queuing system to make sure only a limited amount of customers are allowed in at anyone time Angela Christofilou Coronavirus: London on lockdown ‘Stay Safe’ – Curzon cinemas are temporarily closed under the new measures Angela Christofilou Coronavirus: London on lockdown Pubs, restaurants and bars were ordered to shut as part of the lockdown Angela Christofilou Coronavirus: London on lockdown Camden High Street There are fears that coronavirus could lead to permanent closure of struggling shops Angela Christofilou Coronavirus: London on lockdown Camden Town is eerily silent on a normal working day Angela Christofilou Coronavirus: London on lockdown Shops and supermarkets ran out of hand sanitisers in the first week of the lockdown. As we approach the end of the second week most shops now have started to stock up Angela Christofilou Coronavirus: London on lockdown Empty streets around Soho Angela Christofilou Coronavirus: London on lockdown A noticeboard on Camden High Street urges the public to stay at home Angela Christofilou Coronavirus: London on lockdown Camden High Street, one of London’s busiest tourist streets turns quiet Angela Christofilou Coronavirus: London on lockdown Thriller Live confirmed its West End run ended in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak Angela Christofilou Coronavirus: London on lockdown Empty and eerie Soho streets after stricter rules on social distancing announced Angela Christofilou Coronavirus: London on lockdown A woman pauses for a cigarette on Hanway Street, behind Tottenham Court Road Angela Christofilou Coronavirus: London on lockdown A man steps outside onto Hanway Street, that sits behind what is usually a bustling retail hub Angela Christofilou

Darren Hughes, chief executive of the Electoral Reform Society, said: “Scrutiny must continue as life-changing decisions continue to be made every day.

"That means parliament must adapt to return this month and convene digitally – ensuring voters’ concerns from across the country are heard and properly represented at this urgent hour.

“It is essential that MPs are not just able to contribute from isolation but vote too, learning from the experiences of other parliaments that are already allowing this to happen.

"We look forward to seeing these plans develop to ensure democracy and good governance doesn’t disappear when we need it most.”