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 - Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
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 - Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
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 - Minister of State (Department 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.
Asked by: Christopher Chope (Conservative - Christchurch)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many prosecutions have been brought against people alleged to have been in breach of UK electoral law in each of the last five years for which information is available.
Answered by Chloe Smith
Data on electoral law offences is not collected or held by the Cabinet Office. The Electoral Commission reports on breaches of UK electoral law and will hold more detailed information.
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 he plans to bring forward legislative proposals to repeal the Fixed Term Parliaments Act 2011; what assessment he has made of the effect of repealing that Act on the Royal Prerogative power of the Monarch to dissolve the UK Parliament; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Chloe Smith
As set out in the Queen's Speech, the Government will repeal the Fixed Term Parliaments Act. Prior to the Fixed Term Parliaments Act, an election was called through the use of the Royal Prerogative powers of the Monarch on the advice of the Prime Minister.
Asked by: Christopher Chope (Conservative - Christchurch)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to the Answer on 21 May 2019 to Question 255260, whether she plans to reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Christchurch, dated 18 February 2019 before the Summer recess.
Answered by Theresa May
A reply has been sent.