Asked by: Kim Johnson (Labour - Liverpool, Riverside)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment his Department has made of the potential security implications of the proposed merger between Vodafone and Three.
Answered by Nusrat Ghani - Minister of State (Minister for Europe)
As an open economy, we welcome investment where it supports UK growth and jobs, meets our stringent legal and regulatory requirements, and does not compromise our national security. The Government has robust powers under the National Security & Investment Act to block or impose remedies on transactions that pose a national security risk.
As you will appreciate, we cannot comment on specific acquisitions nor the applicability of the National Security and Investment regime.
Asked by: Kim Johnson (Labour - Liverpool, Riverside)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Prime Minister, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of appointing a Minister for Human Relevant Science to be tasked with accelerating the take-up of innovative medical research techniques such as the use of artificial intelligence and organ-on-a-chip technology.
Answered by Elizabeth Truss
My hon. Friend, the Member for Wealden (Nusrat Ghani), is the Minister of State (Minister for Science and Investment Security) at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. A summary of her responsibilities can be found on gov.uk here:
Minister of State (Minister for Science and Investment Security) - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
Asked by: Kim Johnson (Labour - Liverpool, Riverside)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what progress has been made on establishing an inquiry into the Government's handling of the covid-19 outbreak; and whether the Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice group will be included in the membership of the commission of that inquiry.
Answered by Penny Mordaunt - Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
On 12 May, the Prime Minister confirmed the public inquiry into COVID-19 will begin in Spring 2022. The Government recognises that it must engage and consult with bereaved families and others, before the terms of reference are finalised. The terms of reference will set out the purpose and structure of the Covid-19 inquiry, including the exact areas that will be investigated.
The Government is aware of Bereaved Families for Justice’ call to be represented during the COVID-19 Inquiry. Throughout the pandemic senior ministers, including the Prime Minister, have met and will continue to meet with bereaved families.
We also recognise the need for bereaved families to be represented on the UK Commission on Covid Commemoration. The Commission will carefully consider how communities across the country can remember those who have lost their lives and recognise those involved in the response in a fitting and permanent way. I want to thank the Bereaved Families for Justice group for all their efforts in representing bereaved families throughout the pandemic.
Asked by: Kim Johnson (Labour - Liverpool, Riverside)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
What plans the Government has to modify social distancing measures.
Answered by Amanda Milling - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
Thanks to our collective national resolve, the Social Distancing measures we introduced are continuing to save lives. These measures are kept under constant review, with a formal review point every three weeks.
As the Prime Minister said on Thursday 30 April, he will be setting out a comprehensive plan this week. We have set out five tests which we will need to be satisfied with, before that plan can be put into action.