Extract from Commons questions to the Cabinet Office ministers: Ventilators - May 4

Mrs Pauline Latham (Mid Derbyshire) (Con)

What steps his Department is taking with UK manufacturers to increase the supply of ventilators to the NHS. [902093]

The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office (Michael Gove)

My Department and the Department of Health and Social Care have been working with a variety of UK manufacturers in order to increase the supply of ventilators to the NHS. We have placed an order with one in particular, Penlon, for 15,000 additional ventilators. I am pleased to see so many UK manufacturers and medical supply companies working so well together to ensure that we can increase domestic supply.

Mrs Latham [V]

Will my right hon. Friend tell the House how many companies have risen to the challenge to make the extra ventilators needed—companies that do not normally make them such as Dyson or Rolls-Royce?

Michael Gove

Yes, of course. We have been working with 11 new potential, or existing potential, suppliers, but more than 5,000 businesses have been involved, offering to provide services, because, of course, when producing a complex machine such as a ventilator, we need to make sure that we source everything from the appropriate batteries, the appropriate valves and the appropriate other technology. As I say, 5,000 businesses, including Rolls-Royce have been involved in the manufacture.