Asked by: Christopher Chope (Conservative - Christchurch)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many people have died in each week since 1 February 2021 within (a) 28 days and (b) 14 days of having received a vaccination against covid-19.
Answered by Chloe Smith
The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority. I have, therefore, asked the Authority to respond.
Asked by: Christopher Chope (Conservative - Christchurch)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to Government advice in relation to self-contained accommodation under Step 2 of the Covid-19 Response Spring 2021, whether (a) touring caravans and motor homes will be allowed to access supplies of fresh water and waste disposal facilities at camp sites and (b) self-contained holiday accommodation with more than one bedroom can be occupied by members of two households; and what assessment his Department has made of the relative risk to public health arising from the different options.
Answered by Penny Mordaunt
Self contained accommodation is defined as accommodation in which facilities (kitchens, sleeping areas, and indoor lobbies, lifts, staircases, and internal corridors for entry and exit), are exclusive to a single household/support bubble.
Self-contained accommodation can open at Step 2, not before 12 April. Campsites and caravan parks may also open at Step 2 provided that the only shared facilities used by guests are washing facilities, toilets, water points and waste disposal points. Where it is reasonably possible to do so, access to bathing facilities and water points should be operated on a rota basis as was previously the case last summer.
The scientific evidence shows that opening too early or too quickly risks a further lockdown. Therefore, we committed to a phased reopening of accomodation prioritising settings that are self contained to allow individual households (including support bubbles where eligible) to visit these settings at Step 2 whilst reducing the risk of household mixing.
Asked by: Christopher Chope (Conservative - Christchurch)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to Step two of the Government's guidance, Covid-19 Response-Spring 2021, published on 22 February 2021, whether touring caravans and motor homes will be allowed to access supplies of fresh water and waste disposal facilities at camp sites during that stage; whether self-contained holiday accommodation with more than one bedroom can be occupied by members of two households during that stage; and what assessment he made of the relative risk posed to public health arising from those different options.
Answered by Penny Mordaunt
Self contained accommodation is defined as accommodation in which facilities (kitchens, sleeping areas, and indoor lobbies, lifts, staircases, and internal corridors for entry and exit), are exclusive to a single households/support bubbles.
Self-contained accommodation can open at Step 2, not before 12 April. Campsites and caravan parks may also open at Step 2 provided that the only shared facilities used by guests are washing facilities, toilets, water points and waste disposal points. Where it is reasonably possible to do so, access to bathing facilities and water points should be operated on a rota basis as was previously the case last summer.
The scientific evidence shows that opening too early or too quickly risks a further lockdown. Therefore, we committed to a phased reopening of accomodation prioritising settings that are self contained to allow individual households (including support bubbles where eligible) to visit these settings at Step 2 whilst reducing the risk of household mixing.
Asked by: Christopher Chope (Conservative - Christchurch)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the proposed restrictions on weddings being held in April, May and June 2021 make provision for people who have been vaccinated for more than three weeks to be excluded from the calculation of the maximum number of those permitted to be present; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Penny Mordaunt
As set out in the COVID-19 Response - Spring 2021, published on 22 February, the Government will review whether COVID-status certification could play a role in reopening our economy, reducing restrictions on social contact and improving safety. The Government will set out its conclusions ahead of Step 4 of the roadmap.
The limits for weddings remain as set out in the COVID-19 Response - Spring 2021:
Further information can also be found in the guidance for small marriages and civil partnerships:
Asked by: Christopher Chope (Conservative - Christchurch)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office what reason the use of (a) religious and (b) sporting premises in England certified by Public Health England as covid-safe are now assessed as a risk to public health; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Penny Mordaunt
The UK Government’s approach to Tiers in England draws on the lessons learned from the range of interventions put in place across the four nations of the UK to date. There is clear evidence that shows the best way to control the virus is to limit opportunities for it to spread between individuals from different households. Although COVID-secure measures can be put in place to help mitigate the risk of transmission in different settings, they are unlikely to eliminate that risk completely. The restrictions on religious, and sports and leisure settings imposed in November were designed to further limit the risk of transmission. Details of rules set by devolved administrations are available on relevant web pages.
The UK Government recognises the significant sacrifices that people of all faiths have made this year; restrictions have been in place over a number of religious celebrations and observances. Communal worship is possible for all faiths in all three tiers in England and faith leaders will continue to play a key role, consulting on how to make religious practice as safe as possible. Relevant guidance is available here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-for-the-safe-use-of-places-of-worship-during-the-pandemic-from-4-july/covid-19-guidance-for-the-safe-use-of-places-of-worship-from-2-december
Gyms, sports facilities and leisure centres are open in all tiers in England. There is specific guidance for each tier. Further information may be found in the ‘sport and physical activity’ sections of each guidance publication, which are available here:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/local-restriction-tiers-what-you-need-to-know
Asked by: Christopher Chope (Conservative - Christchurch)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the maximum length of contract is which can meet the criteria of the Cabinet Office procurement policy note 01/20: Responding to Covid-19; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Julia Lopez - Shadow Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology
There is no maximum length of contract as set out in reg 32(2)(c) of the Public Contract Regulations 2015. However, Procurement Policy Note 01/20 (Responding to COVID-19), advises that contracting authorities should limit their requirements to only what is absolutely necessary both in terms of what they are procuring and the length of contract.
Asked by: Christopher Chope (Conservative - Christchurch)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will make it the policy of the Government that all relevant Government contracts involving electrical installation should comply with the eighteenth edition of BS7671 published in 2018; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Chloe Smith
All suppliers providing services under Government contracts must ensure they are maintained at optimum performance in accordance with manufacturers’ and installers’ recommendations and statutory obligations, including the BS7671 IET Wiring Regulations.