Extract from Lords repeat of Commons statement on Health Measures at UK Borders - Feb 4
Friday, 5 February 2021 08:40
Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton (Con) [V]: My Lords, I confess to being
taken aback by the opening comments from the noble Lord, Lord
Kennedy—so full of inappropriate political opportunism and so out
of character for the noble Lord. The Government are right to take
the layered approach that my noble friend outlined. A dynamic,
agile risk assessment should mean that we find the balance between
controlling the virus and protecting the economy. I ask my noble
friend what consultations the...Request free trial
(Con) [V]: My Lords, I confess to being
taken aback by the opening comments from the noble Lord, Lord
Kennedy—so full of inappropriate political opportunism and so out
of character for the noble Lord. The Government are right to take
the layered approach that my noble friend outlined. A dynamic,
agile risk assessment should mean that we find the balance between
controlling the virus and protecting the economy. I ask my noble
friend what consultations the Government have had with the overseas
territories to maintain air corridors, particularly in light of our
obligations to support urgent medical evacuations.
The Minister of State, Home Office ()
(Con): I thank my noble friend for that question about negotiating
with the overseas territories. Commercial flights continue to
maintain direct air links with the Cayman Islands, Bermuda and
Gibraltar. Special chartered flights from St Helena, arranged in
conjunction with its Government, have provided a direct link during
the pandemic, allowing people to travel to the UK for medical
treatment. Military flights continue to provide access to the
Falkland Islands and Ascension Island.
I am pleased to say that the FCDO has been supporting the overseas
territories throughout the pandemic. As of today, with the support
of partners across government, we have delivered vaccines to nine
territories. That is good news and returns to my earlier point
about this being a problem for the whole of the world...
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