Dr Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will publish the contact details for a team in his Department that companies able to supply large quantities of PPE from abroad can use to explain what PPE products they are able to supply; and if he will take steps to ensure that those companies receive a timely response. [38411]
[Due for Answer on 27 April. Answered on 13 May.]
HOLDING ANSWER: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
ANSWER
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Prevention, Public Health and Primary Care (Jo Churchill): The Government’s Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) plan was published on 10 April and can be found at the following link:
As Strand 3 details, we have set up a cross-Government PPE sourcing unit to secure new supply lines from across the world and a call to industry has been issued to companies at home to manufacture and supply additional PPE at scale.
All offers to supply PPE must be made through the United Kingdom Government’s online portal:
All offers will receive an immediate automated response and then follow up contact once the team have assessed the offer.