Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 9 June 2020 to Question 46094 on Protective Clothing: Turkey, how many items were (a) suitable for use or (b) rejected as unsuitable for use from that shipment.

185,000 gowns and coveralls were transported from Turkey to the United Kingdom by the Royal Air Force on 22 April. While a small number of these gowns failed tests in the UK, more passed tests making them suitable for use in the National Health Service.

The Turkish Authorities provided 68,000 coveralls when it became clear that an order from a private company was delayed. All have passed the checks and will now be distributed to the frontline.

We are working constantly to source personal protective equipment internationally and domestically and more orders are lined up and expected from suppliers in the UK and overseas.