Contributions
326 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDScience, Innovation and TechnologyThe chief scientific officer has previously stated the importance of this investment in the UK’s pandemic preparedness. In the light of the announcement, what assessment has the…12 Feb 2025HANSARDTerminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill (Eleventh sitting)My hon. Friend makes a powerful argument, but if that is his intention, the amendment does not achieve it. It does not refer to agonising pain; it just refers to “physical pain”.…12 Feb 2025HANSARDTerminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill (Eleventh sitting)It may be that I am a dense former surgeon, so please help me, but could my hon. Friend the Member for East Wiltshire give an example of what, in the definition of…12 Feb 2025HANSARDTerminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill (Eleventh sitting)The hon. Lady spoke movingly about her own experiences, which clearly fell into the category of benefiting others, with no benefit for herself. Can she elucidate how she envisages…12 Feb 2025HANSARDTerminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill (Eleventh sitting)I just want to understand this, so that I can appreciate the amendment in full. I believe that my hon. Friend—he will correct me if I misheard—spoke of encouragement effectively…12 Feb 2025HANSARDTerminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill (Tenth sitting)I have no doubt that my hon. Friend speaks to the amendment with very good intentions due to genuine concerns about the safeguards. We have talked a lot about coercion. Clause…12 Feb 2025HANSARDTerminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill (Eighth sitting)The Bill is very clear in determining that it is for those who have a progressive illness, disease or medical condition that cannot be reversed by treatment. On my reading of the…11 Feb 2025HANSARDTerminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill (Ninth sitting)Will the hon. Lady help me to understand her position? Is it a fundamental disagreement with any prisoner having access to assisted dying, or is it a fundamental issue with…11 Feb 2025HANSARDTerminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill (Ninth sitting)It may well have been the way that I phrased it, but the point I was seeking to make was that the Mental Capacity Act, as it currently operates, can be used for those patients who…11 Feb 2025HANSARDTerminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill (Ninth sitting)I wonder whether the hon. Lady can help me with an area of her argument that I am conflicted by. I have heard the points made by my hon. Friend the Member for East Wiltshire,…11 Feb 2025HANSARDTerminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill (Eighth sitting)I will make some progress, if I may, because I think I have indulged your patience for far too long, Ms McVey. I am cautious about introducing this new test. I may not have…11 Feb 2025HANSARDTerminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill (Eighth sitting)My hon. Friend puts it with his usual candour. He asked a straight question, so I will give him a straight answer: I think there is a difference between somebody who is depressed…11 Feb 2025HANSARDTerminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill (Eighth sitting)The hon. Member is right: there is a huge spectrum of patients when dealing with these complex issues, and it would be absolute nonsense to arbitrarily say that anybody with…11 Feb 2025HANSARDTerminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill (Eighth sitting)That is one of the additional safeguards in the Bill. This Bill has more in-built safeguards than any similar piece of legislation across the world. I think the hon. Gentleman…11 Feb 2025HANSARDTerminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill (Eighth sitting)I am aware that the hon. Member for Ipswich is waiting to intervene.11 Feb 2025HANSARDTerminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill (Eighth sitting)I will keep my answer very brief by saying that I will return to hon. Lady’s point when we come to the clause on terminal illness, when perhaps I can elucidate, improve and work…11 Feb 2025HANSARDTerminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill (Eighth sitting)My hon. Friend makes a valid point—the Committee can see that I was an orthopaedic surgeon, not an endocrinologist. It is not necessarily a progressive condition; it is a…11 Feb 2025HANSARDTerminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill (Eighth sitting)With the greatest respect to the hon. Member, I think that she is conflating two issues. Someone can stop treatment under the MCA; over time, that will lead progressively to…11 Feb 2025HANSARDTerminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill (Eighth sitting)The hon. Member makes a reasonable point. I agree with her on many issues, but on this issue I have some reservations. Clause 18(4) says: “The coordinating doctor must be…11 Feb 2025HANSARDTerminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill (Eighth sitting)My hon. Friend makes a valid point. I have concerns about public confidence in the Bill without that additional safeguard, as this is such a consequential decision, but of course…11 Feb 2025