My Lords—

My Lords—

Moved by

Lord Moylan

175: Clause 5, page 3, line 21, at end insert—

“(aa) where the prognosis is based on a median life expectancy, the distribution of the data underlying the prognosis;”

Member's explanatory statement

This amendment requires the registered medical practitioner to discuss the underlying data on survival from which the median prognosis...

Moved by

Lord Moylan

175: Clause 5, page 3, line 21, at end insert—

“(aa) where the prognosis is based on a median life expectancy, the distribution of the data underlying the prognosis;”

Member's explanatory statement

This amendment requires the registered medical practitioner to discuss the underlying data on survival from which the median prognosis...

My Lords, I will speak to Amendments 175 and 384, in my name, and I am grateful to the noble Baroness, Lady Fox of Buckley, for her support.

These amendments concern prognosis. We have discussed prognosis briefly in previous debates, but I wanted to raise this in the context of my...

My Lords, I will speak to Amendments 175 and 384, in my name, and I am grateful to the noble Baroness, Lady Fox of Buckley, for her support.

These amendments concern prognosis. We have discussed prognosis briefly in previous debates, but I wanted to raise this in the context of my...

My Lords, I am not saying—nor was anybody—that a positive attitude on its own is going to save somebody from cancer. Professor Gould also benefited from the fact that he had the best medical treatment, and he went on various experimental courses. That was not my point at all. But...

My Lords, I am not saying—nor was anybody—that a positive attitude on its own is going to save somebody from cancer. Professor Gould also benefited from the fact that he had the best medical treatment, and he went on various experimental courses. That was not my point at all. But...

I am now precluded from taking further interventions, because there is a limit on how long I can speak and that was a very excessive intervention. I will discuss with the noble Baroness outside the Chamber what a reasonable expectation is, if it is not based on a prognosis. I...

I am now precluded from taking further interventions, because there is a limit on how long I can speak and that was a very excessive intervention. I will discuss with the noble Baroness outside the Chamber what a reasonable expectation is, if it is not based on a prognosis. I...

We are all agreed that the reference to six months is to be found in Clause 2, where it says that

“an inevitably progressive illness or disease which cannot be reversed by treatment, and … the person’s death in consequence of that illness or disease can reasonably be expected within six...

We are all agreed that the reference to six months is to be found in Clause 2, where it says that

“an inevitably progressive illness or disease which cannot be reversed by treatment, and … the person’s death in consequence of that illness or disease can reasonably be expected within six...

My Lords, before he vanishes, I thank the noble Lord, Lord Carlile of Berriew, and apologise to him for not acknowledging in my opening remarks the fact that he had added his name to my Amendment 175.

I would be disappointed if the noble and learned Lord were, at this advanced...

My Lords, before he vanishes, I thank the noble Lord, Lord Carlile of Berriew, and apologise to him for not acknowledging in my opening remarks the fact that he had added his name to my Amendment 175.

I would be disappointed if the noble and learned Lord were, at this advanced...

My Lords, I rise to speak to a couple of amendments that I have in this group. I start by responding to what the noble Lord, Lord Moore of Etchingham, has just said. I think that he misconceives his opponents—indeed, if I may say so, our opponents. They do not...

My Lords, I rise to speak to a couple of amendments that I have in this group. I start by responding to what the noble Lord, Lord Moore of Etchingham, has just said. I think that he misconceives his opponents—indeed, if I may say so, our opponents. They do not...

There is, indeed, a spectrum, and the doctor should be able to speak. As I say, there have been 3,000 years of thought given to this. What has resulted from that is a firm conviction that, while some medications that do you good may also do harm—and the doctor has...

There is, indeed, a spectrum, and the doctor should be able to speak. As I say, there have been 3,000 years of thought given to this. What has resulted from that is a firm conviction that, while some medications that do you good may also do harm—and the doctor has...

Let me finish. The noble Baroness puts that forward and says that, to her, it is simply one option. It is not one option; it crosses a line.

Let me finish. The noble Baroness puts that forward and says that, to her, it is simply one option. It is not one option; it crosses a line.

My Lords, if I may briefly answer that, I am saying that we have 3,000 years of a moral framework in which it is morally abhorrent. I am not here primarily to protect the sensitivities and feelings of doctors. I am saying what a violent novelty this is that we...

My Lords, if I may briefly answer that, I am saying that we have 3,000 years of a moral framework in which it is morally abhorrent. I am not here primarily to protect the sensitivities and feelings of doctors. I am saying what a violent novelty this is that we...

Briefly, as it is of no interest to other Members of the Committee, but it is surprising that, with all the legal advice offered to her, the noble Baroness has not noticed that there is a consequential amendment in my name in the same group—which I referred to—which deletes subsection...

Briefly, as it is of no interest to other Members of the Committee, but it is surprising that, with all the legal advice offered to her, the noble Baroness has not noticed that there is a consequential amendment in my name in the same group—which I referred to—which deletes subsection...

My Lords, I rise to speak briefly to my Amendment 134, which is a probing amendment. The noble Lord, Lord Weir, drew our attention to Clause 4(4), which sets out what he referred to as the functions of the assisted dying commissioner. In fact, the text refers to the “principal...

My Lords, I rise to speak briefly to my Amendment 134, which is a probing amendment. The noble Lord, Lord Weir, drew our attention to Clause 4(4), which sets out what he referred to as the functions of the assisted dying commissioner. In fact, the text refers to the “principal...

Does my noble friend agree that, given the surreptitious but none the less firm support that the current Prime Minister has shown for this Bill, it is almost impossible to believe that he would not be personally involved in this appointment?

12.45 pm

Does my noble friend agree that, given the surreptitious but none the less firm support that the current Prime Minister has shown for this Bill, it is almost impossible to believe that he would not be personally involved in this appointment?

12.45 pm

My Lords, I shall be very brief. I am grateful to all the noble Lords who spoke in this short and valuable debate. I tabled these amendments in the first place to give the noble and learned Lord the opportunity to explain why this proposed service should be funded by...

My Lords, I shall be very brief. I am grateful to all the noble Lords who spoke in this short and valuable debate. I tabled these amendments in the first place to give the noble and learned Lord the opportunity to explain why this proposed service should be funded by...

My Lords, I have two amendments in this group, Amendments 926 and 929, which are related to each other. They are probing amendments related to Schedule 2 and the operation of the panel. It is something that has been niggling away at me and worrying me. I am perfectly prepared,...

My Lords, I have two amendments in this group, Amendments 926 and 929, which are related to each other. They are probing amendments related to Schedule 2 and the operation of the panel. It is something that has been niggling away at me and worrying me. I am perfectly prepared,...

That point seems to me to be covered by the general power of the assisted dying commissioner under Schedule 1 to do anything that is appropriate or necessary for carrying out his functions, so I do not think that is a reason for not using the word “sole” and giving...

That point seems to me to be covered by the general power of the assisted dying commissioner under Schedule 1 to do anything that is appropriate or necessary for carrying out his functions, so I do not think that is a reason for not using the word “sole” and giving...

Moved by

Lord Moylan

140: Clause 4, page 2, line 39, at end insert—

“(f) setting charges payable for the service by those seeking assistance.”

Member's explanatory statement

This amendment would provide a means whereby assistance would not be a charge on the public purse.

Moved by

Lord Moylan

140: Clause 4, page 2, line 39, at end insert—

“(f) setting charges payable for the service by those seeking assistance.”

Member's explanatory statement

This amendment would provide a means whereby assistance would not be a charge on the public purse.

My Lords, it is a pleasure to be addressing your Lordships’ Committee immediately after the lunch break.

I have a number of amendments in this group which work together to do two things. The majority of them would prevent any public money being spent on the assisted dying service. One of...

My Lords, it is a pleasure to be addressing your Lordships’ Committee immediately after the lunch break.

I have a number of amendments in this group which work together to do two things. The majority of them would prevent any public money being spent on the assisted dying service. One of...

My Lords, I have four amendments in this group, three of which are closely related. They are Amendments 85, 894 and 896, the latter two of which are consequential on Amendment 85. I also have Amendment 100, but I will come back to that towards the end. I am grateful...

My Lords, I have four amendments in this group, three of which are closely related. They are Amendments 85, 894 and 896, the latter two of which are consequential on Amendment 85. I also have Amendment 100, but I will come back to that towards the end. I am grateful...