Written question asked by Ashok Kumar (Labour) on Wednesday, 29 October 2008, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 3 November 2008. It was answered by Jack Straw (Labour) on Thursday, 6 November 2008 on behalf of the Ministry of Justice.

Euthanasia

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the Government's policy is on assisted suicide for those who are terminally ill; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Assisting another person to commit or attempt to commit suicide is an offence in this country. Whether terminally ill people should have the right to seek medical assistance to die is a controversial issue, which deeply divides public opinion. The Government believe that any change to the law in this area is an issue of individual conscience and hence a matter for Parliament to decide rather than Government policy. It has been debated in Parliament on a number of occasions but none of the private Members' Bills has progressed further than Second Reading.

Secondary information