THE House of Commons could sit next week entirely via remote with the Speaker as the only person in the chamber, HOAR can reveal.
It was confirmed yesterday that Parliament will return next Tuesday, April 21, as planned.
But with the coronavirus epidemic still raging, “technological solutions” are being drawn up to allow MPs to abide by lockdown guidelines.
Under one option being studied by the Government now, ministers could take questions from MPs via video conferencing.
Neither inquisitor nor responder would have to be in the chamber, HOAR has been told, including for PMQs.
Only Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle will remain in his chair to preside, served by a bank of TV screens wheeled in front of him.
A senior Commons source said: “A motion could be passed that would allow even the Speaker to be remote, but it’s unlikely he will favour this option.”
The options are still being worked up by Commons Leader Jacob Rees-Mogg for a decision this week.
Mr Rees-Mogg’s spokeswoman said: “Parliament will return on 21st April to fulfil its essential constitutional functions of conducting scrutiny, authorising spending and making laws.
“In these unprecedented times, technological solutions have already been implemented for select committee and options are being prepared for the Speaker, the government and other parties to consider next week.
“It is important that we have a comprehensive solution that does not inadvertently exclude any members.”
A small number of MPs would have to come into Parliament for a single day to vote through the changes.
Debate is still raging on how MPs should vote, with concern about the security of any system of doing it online.
Commons committees are already taking evidence remotely via video, with only the committee chairs sitting in Parliament’s evidence rooms.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer added: “It’s very important in a crisis like this that ministers can be scrutinised. That’s why Parliament has to be sitting”.
