House of Lords questions government on 20 May

You can watch the full session on Parliament TV. A transcript will also be available via Lords Hansard around three hours after proceedings, and a short summary of what was discussed is available below.

• Watch the session on Parliament TV
• Read the transcript in Lords Hansard from three hours after questions
• Read the full list of questions and possible speakers

Questions on Wednesday 20 May:

• Lord Collins of Highbury asked the government about the response of international institutions to the impact of Covid-19 on refugee camps.
  
  Topics discussed include: actions to support the people of Yemen; support for faith-based organisations' responses to Covid-19; work to support refugees in Jordan; support for Palestinian refugees; support for refugees in Greek camps; protection for stateless women and girls; Syrian border crossings; and humanitarian evacuation corridors in Libya.

• Lord Palmer of Childs Hill asked the government about its assessment of the amount of inheritance tax paid, the measures being taken to avoid paying any such tax; and what plans it has to ensure that inheritance tax is paid promptly.
  
  Topics discussed include: curbing inheritance tax evasion and loopholes in regulations; replacing inheritance tax with other systems; wider transformation of the tax system; simplifying procedures and paperwork; and considering systems used in other countries.

• Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick asked the government what discussions it has had with the government of Ireland about the development of a co-ordinated all-island approach to the lifting of Covid-19 related restrictions.
  
  Topics discussed include: an all-island approach to contact tracing and a common strategy to tackle Covid-19; the anti-vaccine movement; testing and quarantine periods for travellers; restrictions concerning sport; and intergovernmental contact between the UK and Ireland.

• Lord Farmer asked the government when it plans to allow routine dental care to resume.
  
  Topics discussed include: health problems caused by untreated dental issues; setting up a national plan to get dentistry back on track; financial issues affecting private dental practices because of Covid-19; NHS dental staff receiving PPE; NHS returning to routine eyecare by opticians and eye clinics; and the increase in snack buying during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Lord Speaker has also accepted the following urgent question (Private Notice Question) from Lord Watson of Invergowrie:

• Lord Watson of Invergowrie asked the government what action they are taking to publish scientific evidence which ensures the re-opening schools on 1 June will be safe for pupils, staff and parents, including the impact on the national and regional reproduction rates ("R") of Covid-19.
  
  Topics discussed include: regional publishing of R rates; the impact of school closures on disadvantaged children; track and trace capability; publishing papers from SAGE regarding children and education;  transmission of Covid-19 by children; risk assessments conducted  by schools; deadlines for when local authorities must decide whether to re-open; and operational defence plans for school staff and children.

Further information

• Work of the House of Lords – making laws
• Follow @ukhouseoflords on Twitter
• Like House of Lords on Facebook
• Watch House of Lords videos on YouTube
• View House of Lords images on Flickr
• Connect with members on the Lords Digital Chamber

Image: House of Lords / Roger Harris