On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. I note that the order in which the amendments are printed in the Order Paper is also not in accordance with the usual convention. Normally, the new clauses are printed first, followed by the amendments in the order in which they relate to...

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. I note that the order in which the amendments are printed in the Order Paper is also not in accordance with the usual convention. Normally, the new clauses are printed first, followed by the amendments in the order in which they relate to...

I hear what my hon. Friend says, but we have to deal with what we are faced with today. The amendments are carefully phrased. We are looking at mitochondrial opportunities to deal with diseases that someone might carry, but the amendments would make it absolutely clear that that should not...

I hear what my hon. Friend says, but we have to deal with what we are faced with today. The amendments are carefully phrased. We are looking at mitochondrial opportunities to deal with diseases that someone might carry, but the amendments would make it absolutely clear that that should not...

As always, I am grateful to my right hon. Friend. I want to be reassured by the Minister telling me that tetraploid complementation is fully covered by the definitions in the Bill, but according to a written answer given by Lord Hunt, that type of chimeric embryo is not covered....

As always, I am grateful to my right hon. Friend. I want to be reassured by the Minister telling me that tetraploid complementation is fully covered by the definitions in the Bill, but according to a written answer given by Lord Hunt, that type of chimeric embryo is not covered....

There is absolutely no reason that I can think of why such research should not be banned if people cannot state clearly the identifiable benefits that could be derived from it. That is quite apart from the question of whether humankind can be crossed with other primates—that, of course, is...

There is absolutely no reason that I can think of why such research should not be banned if people cannot state clearly the identifiable benefits that could be derived from it. That is quite apart from the question of whether humankind can be crossed with other primates—that, of course, is...

I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for that intervention. Obviously, with the professional knowledge that he gained before he came to this place, he has a deep understanding of the scientific complexities and the need for these procedures. The briefing from the scientific community continues:"““Research of this nature is...

I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for that intervention. Obviously, with the professional knowledge that he gained before he came to this place, he has a deep understanding of the scientific complexities and the need for these procedures. The briefing from the scientific community continues:"““Research of this nature is...

No. I am trying to make some brief comments—

No. I am trying to make some brief comments—

The process was demanding because we were invited to consider issues that strike at the heart of what it means to be human. We have also looked—

The process was demanding because we were invited to consider issues that strike at the heart of what it means to be human. We have also looked—

I leave that to stand. I would also say that if a scientist wanted to avoid a criminal charge, it would be wise to apply for a licence. Even if the scientist felt that the circumstance would not be covered by the definition, if it turned out to be covered,...

I leave that to stand. I would also say that if a scientist wanted to avoid a criminal charge, it would be wise to apply for a licence. Even if the scientist felt that the circumstance would not be covered by the definition, if it turned out to be covered,...

Will the hon. Gentleman give way?

Will the hon. Gentleman give way?

Further to that point of order, Mr. Speaker. I do realise that, on the subject of the programme motion, it is within the powers of the House to alter the order of debate, but you do have certain powers, which are governed by convention, protecting the practice of the House...

Further to that point of order, Mr. Speaker. I do realise that, on the subject of the programme motion, it is within the powers of the House to alter the order of debate, but you do have certain powers, which are governed by convention, protecting the practice of the House...

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. There is a new clause in the first sequence of amendments.

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. There is a new clause in the first sequence of amendments.

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. I should be grateful for your advice and I am sorry that I have not had a chance to give you advance notice of this point of order. During business questions, we were told by the Leader of the House in answer to...

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. I should be grateful for your advice and I am sorry that I have not had a chance to give you advance notice of this point of order. During business questions, we were told by the Leader of the House in answer to...

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. I am sure that you will tell me if this is not an appropriate time to raise this point of order, but in view of the fact that the Minister is about to move a programme motion relating to the order in which...

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. I am sure that you will tell me if this is not an appropriate time to raise this point of order, but in view of the fact that the Minister is about to move a programme motion relating to the order in which...

Certainly the issues are complex and certainly there has been a desire at an early stage for clarity. Whether we have all been swept along by that complexity is perhaps for others to judge. There is certainly a need for clarity, however, particularly in the definitions. I would like to...

Certainly the issues are complex and certainly there has been a desire at an early stage for clarity. Whether we have all been swept along by that complexity is perhaps for others to judge. There is certainly a need for clarity, however, particularly in the definitions. I would like to...

My hon. Friend has been demonstrating how complex are these questions. Is it not true that one has a simple question to ask as well—that is, what would the general public, on whichever side they happen to be, expect us to do in trying to deal with these questions? Would...

My hon. Friend has been demonstrating how complex are these questions. Is it not true that one has a simple question to ask as well—that is, what would the general public, on whichever side they happen to be, expect us to do in trying to deal with these questions? Would...

I am grateful to my right hon. Friend. That is the least the public would expect of us. They may or may not agree with the principles and the practical results, but at the very least they would expect the Bill to cover researched examples of animal-human embryos. It is...

I am grateful to my right hon. Friend. That is the least the public would expect of us. They may or may not agree with the principles and the practical results, but at the very least they would expect the Bill to cover researched examples of animal-human embryos. It is...

I am following the hon. Gentleman's argument with interest. Will he explain whether it is his understanding that if such an entity were implanted into animal, a licence would be required from the Animal Procedures Committee?

I am following the hon. Gentleman's argument with interest. Will he explain whether it is his understanding that if such an entity were implanted into animal, a licence would be required from the Animal Procedures Committee?

I am grateful for that intervention. If the hon. Gentleman bears with me, I shall come shortly to the issue of the licence. The fourth reason for the amendment is that proposed new section 4A(4) to the 1990 Act bans the implantation of human admixed embryos in an animal. Since...

I am grateful for that intervention. If the hon. Gentleman bears with me, I shall come shortly to the issue of the licence. The fourth reason for the amendment is that proposed new section 4A(4) to the 1990 Act bans the implantation of human admixed embryos in an animal. Since...

For the sake of clarity, will the hon. Gentleman say whether he is referring to mid-gestation in the species into which the implant has been made?

For the sake of clarity, will the hon. Gentleman say whether he is referring to mid-gestation in the species into which the implant has been made?

Let me give an example. The procedure has been used in mice since the early 1990s, and it is routinely used to make entire mice from embryonic stem cells, which are being aggregated with tetraploid embryos. When used in this way, the procedure is considered a gold standard for testing,...

Let me give an example. The procedure has been used in mice since the early 1990s, and it is routinely used to make entire mice from embryonic stem cells, which are being aggregated with tetraploid embryos. When used in this way, the procedure is considered a gold standard for testing,...