Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the hon. Member for Perth and North Perthshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, how many risk assessments have been carried out as required under Health and Safety law and guidance to facilitate a full return to Parliament during the covid-19 outbreak for (a) staff, (b) hon. Members and (c) visitors; and if he will make a statement.

The House of Commons has carried out a COVID-19 risk assessment to comply with the government’s guidance on managing the risks of COVID-19 in the workplace. The results have been shared with House staff, hon. Members and other people who work on the Parliamentary Estate. The assessment has also been published on the Parliamentary intranet and the UK Parliament internet transparency pages.

Local task-specific risk assessments have been undertaken by individual teams and offices across the House of Commons to facilitate work activities recommencing safely on the estate. Aligned with Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guidance, the significant findings of these risk assessments have been recorded and used to communicate and manage the risks at Parliament.

The House has also been liaising with contractors and other third-party occupants working on the estate to ensure they have adequately considered the risks associated with Covid-19.