Lords question government on Covid-19 and NATO on 19 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

Questionson Tuesday 19 May:

• Lord Touhig asked the government what steps it is taking to coordinate the response to the Covid-19 pandemic with NATO to prevent any security risks.
  
  Topics discussed include: requests for support from NATO; involvement of the US and Russia in NATO operations; UK public's awareness of NATO; UK and NATO reviews of biosecurity threats; Covid-19 testing for UK armed forces personnel; combatting fake news; reliance on China for supplies; and defence expenditure.

• Lord Dubs asked the government about the improvement in air quality emissions and other environmental indicators since the Covid-19 restrictions were introduced.
  
  Topics discussed include: the government's environmental policy in the economic recovery from Covid-19; the aviation sector; support for local authorities to tackle air quality; renewable power generation for electric vehicles; research into domestic air quality; and the rollout of clean air zones.

• Baroness Lawrence of Clarendon asked the government about the impact of Covid-19 on black, Asian and minority ethnic frontline staff working in NHS hospitals.
  
  Topics discussed include: BAME nurses using PPE; ethnic minorities being at higher risk of Covid-19; ensuring BAME staff can continue working for the NHS safely;  establishing a Covid-19 race equality strategy; BAME staff holding junior positions; and the government's response.

• Lord Faulkner of Worcester asked the government what advice it has given to the Premier League about Project Restart.
  
  Topics discussed include: plans to respond to positive tests for Covid-19; financial security of premiership and other leagues; plans to stop projects such as youth engagement; implications for players being exposed to Covid-19; and Scotland's response to UEFA recommendations.

The Lord Speaker has also accepted the following urgent question (Private Notice Question) from Baroness Tyler:

• Baroness Tyler asked the government what steps it is taking to protect and support mental health services during and beyond the Covid-19 pandemic.
  
  Topics discussed include: investing in a mental health response to Covid-19; support for those working on the frontline; social prescribing; data collection for mental health issues during the Covid-19 pandemic; support for schools to tackle mental health issues faced by children; mental health aid within health and safety regulations; support for organisations working with children affected by domestic abuse; actions to ensure all communities benefit from support; and support for the prison and probation service.

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Image: House of Lords / Roger Harris