Written question asked by Brian Iddon (Labour) on Tuesday, 4 May 1999, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 11 May 1999. It was answered by Baroness Jowell (Labour) on Tuesday, 11 May 1999 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what data he has collated on cases in which medical treatment has been given to a patient with the deliberate intention of hastening death. - Inc fact that information on such cases is not available centrally.

Answer: Dr. Iddon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what data he has collated on cases in which medical treatment has been given to a patient with the deliberate intention of hastening death. [83394] Ms Jowell: Medical treatment given to a patient with the primary purpose of hastening death is illegal. Anyone alleged to have undertaken such action would be open to a charge of murder or manslaughter. It is the responsibility of the police to decide whether to bring charges in individual cases and for the Crown Prosecution Service to decide whether a prosecution should proceed. Information on such cases is not available centrally.

Secondary information