Contributions
1,183 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDTerminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill (Eighth sitting)The simple answer is yes, I do. I think it is a causatively different decision. In fact, this whole Bill entails causative differences between those decisions. I will come to that…11 Feb 2025HANSARDTerminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill (Eighth sitting)That is excellent news. For the first time so far in the course of this debate, we have a strengthening of the Bill from the hon. Member. That is great news—we can chalk that up…11 Feb 2025HANSARDTerminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill (Eighth sitting)That is absolutely right. I do not think best interests can apply in this case. That is why the Mental Capacity Act is being abused. As the hon. Member for Penistone and…11 Feb 2025HANSARDTerminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill (Ninth sitting)Before the break, the hon. Member for Penistone and Stocksbridge gave a helpful account of the operation of the Mental Capacity Act 2005, with particular reference to the concept…11 Feb 2025HANSARDTerminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill (Ninth sitting)I recognise that, and that the Bill makes a distinction in respect of euthanasia or physician-assisted suicide, which would be the doctor doing it to us. The Bill specifies that…11 Feb 2025HANSARDTerminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill (Ninth sitting)My right hon. Friend articulates the point well. I do not think it is a semantic decision: there is a real distinction. The fact is that unplugging the ventilator leads to death,…11 Feb 2025HANSARDTerminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill (Ninth sitting)We are trying to avoid suffering, pain and bad deaths. We all share that view. Indeed, later amendments look explicitly at the purpose of an assisted death and the question of the…11 Feb 2025HANSARDTerminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill (Ninth sitting)The hon. Lady has expressed very well her whole purpose for the Bill. In a sense, all the debates we are having about safeguards, protections, process and eligibility are…11 Feb 2025HANSARDTerminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill (Ninth sitting)I am happy to give way to the hon. Lady.11 Feb 2025HANSARDTerminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill (Ninth sitting)If the hon. Lady would like to intervene on me, I would be happy to give way.11 Feb 2025HANSARDTerminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill (Eighth sitting)Further to those points of order, Ms McVey. I am grateful for your guidance, and I acknowledge your point that normal process is being followed in this Committee. Nevertheless,…11 Feb 2025HANSARDTerminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill (Eighth sitting)I completely endorse that last point made by the hon. Lady. Does she remember how many Members on Second Reading—including, I think, herself—made reference to the judicial stage…11 Feb 2025HANSARDTerminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill (Eighth sitting)I am interested in that point about the Mental Capacity Act not having been written with the Bill in mind. That is absolutely true for the minds of its framers and the Parliament…11 Feb 2025HANSARDTerminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill (Eighth sitting)Further to that point, the hon. Lady responded to the hon. Member for Stroud, who suggested that a doctor must refer to a psychiatrist in the event of concern over capacity. There…11 Feb 2025HANSARDTerminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill (Eighth sitting)Will the hon. Lady give way?11 Feb 2025HANSARDTerminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill (Eighth sitting)The hon. Lady does not like my terminology.11 Feb 2025HANSARDTerminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill (Eighth sitting)The hon. Lady accurately quoted clause 2(3) about a person not being considered to be terminally ill “by reason only” of having a mental disorder or a disability. That word “only”…11 Feb 2025HANSARDTerminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill (Eighth sitting)My hon. Friend says that the term “ability” is not yet defined, but it is set out quite clearly in new clause 1, tabled by the hon. Member for Richmond Park. It simply says: “The…11 Feb 2025HANSARDTerminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill (Eighth sitting)Is my hon. Friend suggesting—I think his new clause makes it clear, and I think my right hon. Friend the Member for North West Hampshire is making the same point—that it is…11 Feb 2025HANSARDTerminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill (Eighth sitting)My hon. Friend does not want uncertainty, so perhaps he could answer this question very directly: would he be content to see somebody who is depressed, and indeed suicidal,…11 Feb 2025