MPs are to ask questions of ministers in the chamber of the House of Commons by video link for the first time, under emergency plans for “virtual sittings” agreed by parliamentary authorities today.
Up to 120 MPs at a time will be able to take part virtually in parliamentary proceedings, while 50 could attend the chamber of the Commons in person, observing strict social-distancing rules.
It is the first time in the Commons’ 700-year history that MPs will be able to quiz the government without being physically present in the building.
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The arrangements, agreed by the House of Commons Commission, must be approved by MPs when they return from their extended Easter break on 21 April.
If they give the green light, large video screens will be installed in the chamber to allow MPs to take part remotely in the weekly session of prime minister’s questions, as well as any urgent questions and statements, from 22 April onwards.
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A man walks down a deserted Camden High Street
Photos Angela Christofilou
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Goodge Street Station is one of the many stations closed to help reduce the spread
Angela Christofilou
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An empty street in the heart of Chinatown
Angela Christofilou
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People in masks in Chinatown a day after the lockdown
Angela Christofilou
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A near-empty Piccadilly Circus during the first week of lockdown
Angela Christofilou
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Sonja, my neighbour, who I photographed while taking a short walk. It was nice to briefly chat even from a distance
Angela Christofilou
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A couple sit on the empty steps of the statue Eros in Piccadilly Circus
Angela Christofilou
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Making sure I stay two-meters apart – D’Arblay Street, Soho
Angela Christofilou
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A mannequin behind a shop window. UK stores have closed until further notice
Angela Christofilou
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A notice displayed on a shop window in Camden
Angela Christofilou
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As part of the lockdown, all non-essential shops have been ordered to close.Image from Camden High Street
Angela Christofilou
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A skateboarder wearing a mask utilises his exercise allowance in the Camden area
Angela Christofilou
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Communities have been coming together in a time of need
Angela Christofilou
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A woman stands alone in a deserted Oxford Street. Up until a few weeks ago, on average, half a million people visited the street per day
Angela Christofilou
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A couple walk hand in hand down a street in Soho, a day before the stricter lockdown was announced
Angela Christofilou
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During the first week of March, shoppers focused on stockpiling necessities ahead of a countrywide lockdown
Angela Christofilou
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Many supermarkers are operating a queuing system to make sure only a limited amount of customers are allowed in at anyone time
Angela Christofilou
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‘Stay Safe’ – Curzon cinemas are temporarily closed under the new measures
Angela Christofilou
19/29
Pubs, restaurants and bars were ordered to shut as part of the lockdown
Angela Christofilou
20/29 Camden High Street
There are fears that coronavirus could lead to permanent closure of struggling shops
Angela Christofilou
21/29
Camden Town is eerily silent on a normal working day
Angela Christofilou
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Shops and supermarkets ran out of hand sanitisers in the first week of the lockdown. As we approach the end of the second week most shops now have started to stock up
Angela Christofilou
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Empty streets around Soho
Angela Christofilou
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A noticeboard on Camden High Street urges the public to stay at home
Angela Christofilou
25/29
Camden High Street, one of London’s busiest tourist streets turns quiet
Angela Christofilou
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Thriller Live confirmed its West End run ended in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak
Angela Christofilou
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Empty and eerie Soho streets after stricter rules on social distancing announced
Angela Christofilou
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A woman pauses for a cigarette on Hanway Street, behind Tottenham Court Road
Angela Christofilou
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A man steps outside onto Hanway Street, that sits behind what is usually a bustling retail hub
Angela Christofilou
1/29
A man walks down a deserted Camden High Street
Photos Angela Christofilou
2/29
Goodge Street Station is one of the many stations closed to help reduce the spread
Angela Christofilou
3/29
An empty street in the heart of Chinatown
Angela Christofilou
4/29
People in masks in Chinatown a day after the lockdown
Angela Christofilou
5/29
A near-empty Piccadilly Circus during the first week of lockdown
Angela Christofilou
6/29
Sonja, my neighbour, who I photographed while taking a short walk. It was nice to briefly chat even from a distance
Angela Christofilou
7/29
A couple sit on the empty steps of the statue Eros in Piccadilly Circus
Angela Christofilou
8/29
Making sure I stay two-meters apart – D’Arblay Street, Soho
Angela Christofilou
9/29
A mannequin behind a shop window. UK stores have closed until further notice
Angela Christofilou
10/29
A notice displayed on a shop window in Camden
Angela Christofilou
11/29
As part of the lockdown, all non-essential shops have been ordered to close.Image from Camden High Street
Angela Christofilou
12/29
A skateboarder wearing a mask utilises his exercise allowance in the Camden area
Angela Christofilou
13/29
Communities have been coming together in a time of need
Angela Christofilou
14/29
A woman stands alone in a deserted Oxford Street. Up until a few weeks ago, on average, half a million people visited the street per day
Angela Christofilou
15/29
A couple walk hand in hand down a street in Soho, a day before the stricter lockdown was announced
Angela Christofilou
16/29
During the first week of March, shoppers focused on stockpiling necessities ahead of a countrywide lockdown
Angela Christofilou
17/29
Many supermarkers are operating a queuing system to make sure only a limited amount of customers are allowed in at anyone time
Angela Christofilou
18/29
‘Stay Safe’ – Curzon cinemas are temporarily closed under the new measures
Angela Christofilou
19/29
Pubs, restaurants and bars were ordered to shut as part of the lockdown
Angela Christofilou
20/29 Camden High Street
There are fears that coronavirus could lead to permanent closure of struggling shops
Angela Christofilou
21/29
Camden Town is eerily silent on a normal working day
Angela Christofilou
22/29
Shops and supermarkets ran out of hand sanitisers in the first week of the lockdown. As we approach the end of the second week most shops now have started to stock up
Angela Christofilou
23/29
Empty streets around Soho
Angela Christofilou
24/29
A noticeboard on Camden High Street urges the public to stay at home
Angela Christofilou
25/29
Camden High Street, one of London’s busiest tourist streets turns quiet
Angela Christofilou
26/29
Thriller Live confirmed its West End run ended in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak
Angela Christofilou
27/29
Empty and eerie Soho streets after stricter rules on social distancing announced
Angela Christofilou
28/29
A woman pauses for a cigarette on Hanway Street, behind Tottenham Court Road
Angela Christofilou
29/29
A man steps outside onto Hanway Street, that sits behind what is usually a bustling retail hub
Angela Christofilou
The use of the commercial teleconferencing system Zoom is certain to raise questions about security, after reports of hackers disrupting virtual meetings.
A US congressman recently complained of “Zoom-bombing” of a Washington House Oversight Committee briefing by individuals who were not invited to take part.
The Commons Speaker, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, who chairs the Commission and instigated the measures, said: “By initiating a hybrid solution, with steps towards an entirely virtual parliament, we are enabling members to stay close to their communities, while continuing their important work scrutinising the government.
“I do not want members and House staff putting themselves at risk. By working virtually, this is our contribution to the guidance of stay home, protect the NHS and save lives.”
Also on the Commission are the leader of the House of Commons, Jacob Rees-Mogg; his shadow counterpart, Labour MP Valerie Vaz; and a representative of the Scottish National Party.
To maintain parliamentary standards, MPs dialling in from their living rooms or home offices will be told not to display or draw attention to objects around them while they are onscreen.
Virtual hearings have already been conducted by Commons select committees during the Easter recess, and if they work for questions and statements, the model is expected to be extended to cover debates on motions and legislation.
