MPs could question PM by videolink in 'virtual parliament'

Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle has backed calls for a ‘virtual’ parliament if the UK remains under lockdown when MPs are due to return to Westminster in three weeks, which could see the Prime Minister answering questions by videolink.

Parliament may have to sit virtually

The Speaker asked the Leader of the House of Commons to consider measures that would allow MPs to stay at home and observe the lockdown, following concerns that close contact in parliament helped spread coronavirus at Westminster, requiring the Prime Minister, the Health Secretary and the Scottish Secretary to self-isolate.Defence Secretary Ben Wallace also revealed that he believed he had contracted the illness, but recovered.Scottish MPs have led calls for a virtual parliament, with rail services reduced and air travel virtually shut down.The Orkney and Shetland MP Alistair Carmichael said that his journey home when parliament rose last week took two days via train, car and ferry, and warned it would be impossible to complete the round trip each week if the UK remains in lockdown.MPs are due to return from an extended recess on 21 April. In a letter to Commons Leader Jacob Rees-Mogg, Mr Hoyle said: “If we are still in the grip of the crisis where the physical presence of members, or too many members, in the Palace is not appropriate, I am keen that they should be able to participate in key parliamentary proceedings virtually, for example, oral questions, urgent questions, statements.”Several Commons committees have held remote evidence sessions in recent weeks. Mr Hoyle said parliamentary officials would examine how to apply the same video conferencing technology to question periods.It is not clear how votes, which require MPs to walk through voting lobbies in person, would be carried out, although there is not expected to be major legislative business while the crisis continues.In another unprecedented step, Mr Hoyle has asked the government to agree for ministers to be quizzed by a forum of MPs during the parliamentary recess on the unfolding epidemic.“MPs are being swamped right now with questions and case work from distressed constituents who need answers,” the Speaker said. “Responses cannot wait for the House to sit again.”

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