Written question asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Earl Howe (Conservative) on Wednesday, 14 September 2011.

Assisted Dying

Question: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the comments on euthanasia by Martin Green, the Government’s National Dementia Champion for the Independent Sector, in the Daily Telegraph on 28 August reflect the policies of Her Majesty’s Government.

Answer: The comments attributed to Martin Green were made in his capacity as the chief executive of the English Community Care Association, and not in his role as the Dementia Champion for the independent sector, and do not reflect the Government's position. The Government believe that any changes to the law, in this emotive and contentious area, is an issue of individual conscience and a matter for Parliament to decide rather than government policy. Assisted dying remains unlawful in the United Kingdom.

Secondary information