(5 years, 6 months ago)
Lords Chamber The Senior Deputy Speaker
        
    
    
    
    
    
        
        
        
            The Senior Deputy Speaker 
        
    
        
    
        Did I hear the voice of the noble Lord, Lord Marlesford, during the previous question?
 Lord Marlesford (Con)
        
    
    
    
    
    
        
        
        
            Lord Marlesford (Con) 
        
    
        
    
        You did. I want to comment on the question about Dominic Cummings. Does my noble friend the Minister agree that anyone who has worked in No. 10 knows that the better informed the Prime Minister’s personal staff can be on background policy decisions, the more use they are to the Prime Minister?
 Lord Callanan
        
    
    
    
    
    
        
        
        
            Lord Callanan 
        
    
        
    
        I totally agree. It is entirely right that No. 10 advisers—and, indeed, advisers and officials from other government departments—attend, to understand better the scientific debate and the decisions that then need to be taken. Surely we should all welcome a proper understanding of the science helping to drive the ultimate political decisions.