Commons will be Covid-safe by June 2, says Rees-mogg

JACOB REES-MOGG has warned that Parliament cannot properly scrutinise Government unless MPS are present in the House of Commons.

The Leader of the House sought to assure MPS that the Commons would be “Covid-19 secure” by June 2, and added that MPS would not return to the “crowded, bustling chamber of old”.

Mr Rees-mogg said social distancing would continue with the number of MPS allowed into the chamber capped at 50 and that virtual proceedings would be dropped.

One senior Tory MP told The Daily Telegraph that while it was important to return to Parliament, it should be done so “when the time is right”.

“We should be led by the science,” he said. “We should be a good example, rather than rushing back.”

Opposition parties’ MPS failed in their bid to take control of the Commons agenda to enable a vote on how the chamber operates post the Whitsun recess after their amendment was not selected. In what appeared to be a protest vote to the Government’s move to end virtual proceedings next month, the MPS forced a vote on yesterday’s original timetable motion, which did not include any mention of virtual parliament, but it was approved by 350 votes to 258.

Tommy Sheppard, the SNP MP, accused the Government of being “reckless, cavalier and downright dangerous”. “Switching off the computer and barring members from participating online will reduce the ability of members of parliament to scrutinise Government,” he told the Commons.

“It is simply Orwellian to pretend that it will enhance it.”

Mr Rees-mogg said MPS’ staff will be “strongly advised to continue working from home” while work is ongoing to assess how those with underlying health conditions who have been told to shield can contribute to proceedings. It follows five weeks of sittings in which MPS have contributed either in person or via Zoom.