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Written question asked by Lord Kempsell (Conservative) on Thursday, 27 November 2025, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 11 December 2025. It was answered by Baroness Merron (Labour) on Tuesday, 13 January 2026 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.


Terminal Illnesses: Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards

Question

To ask His Majesty's Government, for the purposes of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, and having regard to the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards and the Mental Capacity Act 2005, what assessment they have made of the risks associated with permitting assistance for someone to end their own life where the person has not previously undergone any deprivation of liberty or comprehensive safeguarding assessment.

Answer

The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill is currently under consideration in Parliament, and it is rightly a matter for Parliament to decide if the safeguards in the bill are sufficient. The Government remains neutral on the bill.

Given that the bill is still under consideration, the Government has made no assessment of the risks associated with permitting assistance for someone to end their own life where the person has not previously undergone any deprivation of liberty or comprehensive safeguarding assessment.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL12420
Session
2024-26
Subjects
Euthanasia Deprivation of liberty safeguards Terminal illnesses
Legislation
Mental Capacity Act 2005
Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill 2024-26
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk