Coronavirus: Parliament should be able to operate 'virtually' during crisis, says Speaker

'MPs are being swamped right now with questions and case work from distressed constituents who need answers,' says Sir Lindsay Hoyle

Parliament should be able to operate "virtually" to allow MPs to scrutinise the government during the coronavirus crisis, the Commons speaker said.

Sir Lindsay Hoyle said MPs should still be able to take part in prime minister's questions and grill government ministers if the UK "is still in the grip of the coronavirus crisis" when the Commons is due to return after the Easter recess.

In a letter to Commons leader Jacob Rees-Mogg, Sir Lindsay said he had ordered officials to look at technological solutions to use in the Commons chamber if the continuing spread of coronavirus means MPs would be at risk in parliament.

It comes after more than 200 MPs wrote to the Commons clerk John Benger to call for a form of remote oversight amid fears the government is ducking scrutiny of its handling of the crisis.

Sir Lindsay said: "Once the House returns, 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 and PMQs."

He appealed to Mr Rees-Mogg to "make representations to government" on ensuring parliament can continue in some form during the crisis.

"MPs are being swamped right now with questions and case work from distressed constituents who need answers," he said.

"Responses to these questions cannot wait for the House to sit again."

Sir Lindsay also urged Mr Rees-Mogg to indicate "as early as feasibly possible" if the House will return after its longer Easter recess on 21 April.

Parliament rose early for its Easter recess amid concerns about the spread of coronavirus among hundreds of people of working in the Palace of Westminster.

Select committees have continued to meet via video conference, allowing MPs to scrutinise ministers and public health experts about the handling of the crisis.

Labour MP Chi Onwurah, who coordinate the joint letter from 200 MPs, said: “People up and down the country have made huge behavioural changes in a matter of days and we must show we are capable of it too.”