My Lords, I will give way. I am sure that the noble Baroness will do the same for me in a moment.

My Lords, I will give way. I am sure that the noble Baroness will do the same for me in a moment.

My Lords, I am very grateful to the noble Baroness for letting me get in. I have sat through 13 days of Committee on this Bill and I have hardly spoken at all. I will cut what I intended to say, as I know we are beginning to run out...

My Lords, I am very grateful to the noble Baroness for letting me get in. I have sat through 13 days of Committee on this Bill and I have hardly spoken at all. I will cut what I intended to say, as I know we are beginning to run out...

My Lords—

My Lords—

My Lords, I am not going to give way because time is short.

My Lords, I am not going to give way because time is short.

My Lords—

My Lords—

I am sorry, but I am not giving way. I do not think it is appropriate for me to do so, and many others have not. I am happy to discuss it with the noble Baroness afterwards.

The largest survey of medical opinion in the UK by the BMA found doctors...

I am sorry, but I am not giving way. I do not think it is appropriate for me to do so, and many others have not. I am happy to discuss it with the noble Baroness afterwards.

The largest survey of medical opinion in the UK by the BMA found doctors...

My Lords—

My Lords—

I have already said that I am not giving way. I turn to my conclusion. The debate on the Bill would have been of a higher quality and met the expectations of high standards in this House if those who oppose it had acknowledged the constructive co-operation of the medical...

I have already said that I am not giving way. I turn to my conclusion. The debate on the Bill would have been of a higher quality and met the expectations of high standards in this House if those who oppose it had acknowledged the constructive co-operation of the medical...

Is the noble Baroness aware that, in the evidence from the royal colleges given to the Select Committee appointed by your Lordships’ House, everyone expressed their concern about the safety of the Bill? Individual letters and so on, even from 50 people, are not the same as the evidence received...

Is the noble Baroness aware that, in the evidence from the royal colleges given to the Select Committee appointed by your Lordships’ House, everyone expressed their concern about the safety of the Bill? Individual letters and so on, even from 50 people, are not the same as the evidence received...

My Lords, I will answer that briefly. I did not, in what I have just said, in any way imply that the medical colleges did not have some suggestions for improvements to the Bill. Many people have suggestions for improvements to the Bill, including my noble and learned friend Lord...

My Lords, I will answer that briefly. I did not, in what I have just said, in any way imply that the medical colleges did not have some suggestions for improvements to the Bill. Many people have suggestions for improvements to the Bill, including my noble and learned friend Lord...

Before my noble friend sits down, I say that I have been accused of dishonesty in my representations. I will just repeat what I said. I was very clear that, while the overwhelming majority—bar one, I think—of the royal medical colleges take a neutral position on the principle of assisted...

Before my noble friend sits down, I say that I have been accused of dishonesty in my representations. I will just repeat what I said. I was very clear that, while the overwhelming majority—bar one, I think—of the royal medical colleges take a neutral position on the principle of assisted...

My Lords, I acknowledge that those who have been campaigning for the Bill, inside and outside here, are well motivated. Many have watched a loved one die in great discomfort, even agony, and are informed by grief. Understandably, they do not want that for their loved ones or themselves. I...

My Lords, I acknowledge that those who have been campaigning for the Bill, inside and outside here, are well motivated. Many have watched a loved one die in great discomfort, even agony, and are informed by grief. Understandably, they do not want that for their loved ones or themselves. I...

No one in this House is suggesting that, as the noble Baroness puts it, we should keep shtum. We have had 14 days of debate on the Bill.

No one in this House is suggesting that, as the noble Baroness puts it, we should keep shtum. We have had 14 days of debate on the Bill.

Such moral dilemmas hint at the fundamental shift in the raison d’être of medicine that is required. A systemic shift will be needed to change the NHS constitution and redefine “medical treatment”. So I am grateful to this House, whether or not it has taken 14 days, that we heard...

Such moral dilemmas hint at the fundamental shift in the raison d’être of medicine that is required. A systemic shift will be needed to change the NHS constitution and redefine “medical treatment”. So I am grateful to this House, whether or not it has taken 14 days, that we heard...

My Lords—

My Lords—

My Lords—

My Lords—

My Lords—

My Lords—

My Lords—

My Lords—

My Lords—

My Lords—

My Lords—

My Lords—

My Lords, the House of Commons and the public want the Bill, but the number of amendments and the length of the speeches mean that we have run out of time, so it cannot go back to the Commons. This is bad for democracy. Even more seriously, it is bad...

My Lords, the House of Commons and the public want the Bill, but the number of amendments and the length of the speeches mean that we have run out of time, so it cannot go back to the Commons. This is bad for democracy. Even more seriously, it is bad...

Will the noble Baroness confirm that while I have said very clearly that I oppose the Bill and that I would bring it to a vote on principle at Third Reading, I have not in fact tabled any amendments?

2.30 pm

Will the noble Baroness confirm that while I have said very clearly that I oppose the Bill and that I would bring it to a vote on principle at Third Reading, I have not in fact tabled any amendments?

2.30 pm

It was the in principle issue that I was discussing rather than amendments, but I take the most reverend Primate’s point completely.

I have jumped now to costs. The cost is about the same as the cost of accidents caused by wearing flip-flops. My estimate is, and I have had some...

It was the in principle issue that I was discussing rather than amendments, but I take the most reverend Primate’s point completely.

I have jumped now to costs. The cost is about the same as the cost of accidents caused by wearing flip-flops. My estimate is, and I have had some...

My Lords, I recognise that this is a day of disappointment. I am keenly aware of those who viewed this law as the solution to their plight, but also of those for whom the clear failure of proper provision of palliative services will not be solved any time soon and...

My Lords, I recognise that this is a day of disappointment. I am keenly aware of those who viewed this law as the solution to their plight, but also of those for whom the clear failure of proper provision of palliative services will not be solved any time soon and...

My Lords, we have now been debating this issue for just short of four and a half hours. It is my intention to bring proceedings to a close at around 3 pm. Both the Government and Opposition Front Benches have indicated to me that they wish to make contributions, so...

My Lords, we have now been debating this issue for just short of four and a half hours. It is my intention to bring proceedings to a close at around 3 pm. Both the Government and Opposition Front Benches have indicated to me that they wish to make contributions, so...

My Lords, the amendment this morning from the noble Baroness, Lady Coffey, to the noble and learned Lord’s amendment asks us, when we note the progress of scrutiny today, to recognise

the recommendations and findings of both House of Lords Committees: the Constitution Committee and the Delegated Powers and Regulatory...

My Lords, the amendment this morning from the noble Baroness, Lady Coffey, to the noble and learned Lord’s amendment asks us, when we note the progress of scrutiny today, to recognise

the recommendations and findings of both House of Lords Committees: the Constitution Committee and the Delegated Powers and Regulatory...

My Lords, we have had over four and a half hours of debate, and I want to begin to close as soon as we can after 3 pm. I will call three more speakers from the Back Benches and then move to the Opposition Front Bench. We will have three...

My Lords, we have had over four and a half hours of debate, and I want to begin to close as soon as we can after 3 pm. I will call three more speakers from the Back Benches and then move to the Opposition Front Bench. We will have three...

My Lords, I thank the Chief Whip for the opportunity to speak. I will speak briefly. I spoke at Second Reading and in Committee. I did not mention then, but I will mention now, that 12 years ago I watched my husband of 31 years die a slow and agonising...

My Lords, I thank the Chief Whip for the opportunity to speak. I will speak briefly. I spoke at Second Reading and in Committee. I did not mention then, but I will mention now, that 12 years ago I watched my husband of 31 years die a slow and agonising...

My Lords, I declare an interest, as past chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, which ended on 1 December last year. I say that because it is pertinent to the remarks I will make. I gave evidence to the Select Committee in the other place as long ago...

My Lords, I declare an interest, as past chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, which ended on 1 December last year. I say that because it is pertinent to the remarks I will make. I gave evidence to the Select Committee in the other place as long ago...

My Lords, like the noble Baroness, Lady Hayman, I was a Member of the House when we looked at the original Bill introduced by the late Lord Joffe in 2004. I have also been Leader of this House and, over the decades, I have never experienced quite the extraordinary exploitation...

My Lords, like the noble Baroness, Lady Hayman, I was a Member of the House when we looked at the original Bill introduced by the late Lord Joffe in 2004. I have also been Leader of this House and, over the decades, I have never experienced quite the extraordinary exploitation...

My Lords, this has, I can say without qualification, proven to be one of the most contentious Bills that has come before your Lordships’ House in this Session and perhaps, indeed, in any Session. One of the reasons why it has been so contentious is that it is so important....

My Lords, this has, I can say without qualification, proven to be one of the most contentious Bills that has come before your Lordships’ House in this Session and perhaps, indeed, in any Session. One of the reasons why it has been so contentious is that it is so important....

My Lords, as noble Lords are very aware, the Government remain neutral on the Bill and on the

principle of assisted dying. This is a Private Member’s Bill, not government legislation. On issues of societal change, as we have discussed, Private Members’ Bills have long been a vehicle to handle...

My Lords, as noble Lords are very aware, the Government remain neutral on the Bill and on the

principle of assisted dying. This is a Private Member’s Bill, not government legislation. On issues of societal change, as we have discussed, Private Members’ Bills have long been a vehicle to handle...

My Lords, this has been a really helpful debate. I am quite sad that we did not get to Committee at all, but never mind. I am conscious that we are in a Session where eight Private Members’ Bills have become Acts of Parliament, and I place on record my...

My Lords, this has been a really helpful debate. I am quite sad that we did not get to Committee at all, but never mind. I am conscious that we are in a Session where eight Private Members’ Bills have become Acts of Parliament, and I place on record my...

My Lords, I give special thanks to those who shared personal experiences with us, in particular the noble Lords, Lord Markham and Lord Dobbs, the right reverend Prelate the Bishop of Newcastle, the noble Baronesses, Lady Hollins and Lady Grey-Thompson, the noble and learned Baroness, Lady Prentis, and my noble...

My Lords, I give special thanks to those who shared personal experiences with us, in particular the noble Lords, Lord Markham and Lord Dobbs, the right reverend Prelate the Bishop of Newcastle, the noble Baronesses, Lady Hollins and Lady Grey-Thompson, the noble and learned Baroness, Lady Prentis, and my noble...

I beg leave to withdraw the Motion.

I beg leave to withdraw the Motion.

My Lords, I will very briefly speak to Amendment 657 in the name of the noble Baroness, Lady Fox, to which I have added my name, to support the amendments in the name of my noble friend Lady Finlay— Amendments 268, 359, 617—and the amendment in the name of the...

My Lords, I will very briefly speak to Amendment 657 in the name of the noble Baroness, Lady Fox, to which I have added my name, to support the amendments in the name of my noble friend Lady Finlay— Amendments 268, 359, 617—and the amendment in the name of the...

My Lords, I just want to respond to the noble Baroness, Lady Berridge, on the importance of conscientious objection. The strength of Clause 31 and Schedule 3 is that they are not confined to those who can show that they have a conscientious objection to assisted suicide. Any doctor or...

My Lords, I just want to respond to the noble Baroness, Lady Berridge, on the importance of conscientious objection. The strength of Clause 31 and Schedule 3 is that they are not confined to those who can show that they have a conscientious objection to assisted suicide. Any doctor or...

My Lords, I am grateful for the clarity, but I draw attention to the fact that this is a position that could have been put, and still could be put, in a meeting with the various royal colleges to assure them that the Bill does what the noble and learned...

My Lords, I am grateful for the clarity, but I draw attention to the fact that this is a position that could have been put, and still could be put, in a meeting with the various royal colleges to assure them that the Bill does what the noble and learned...

Of course, some practitioners do not have confidence. We are not going to get to any conclusion on the Bill that will enable Parliament to implement the view of the vast majority of people in this country.

Of course, some practitioners do not have confidence. We are not going to get to any conclusion on the Bill that will enable Parliament to implement the view of the vast majority of people in this country.

My Lords, can we get to the Front Benches?

My Lords, can we get to the Front Benches?

Hear, hear!

Hear, hear!

My Lords, I accept the spirit of the noble and learned Baroness, Lady Butler-Sloss, so I shall be very brief. I support the noble Baroness, Lady Fraser of Craigmaddie, in her amendment on the register. I understand that one of the things that we are trying to do in this...

My Lords, I accept the spirit of the noble and learned Baroness, Lady Butler-Sloss, so I shall be very brief. I support the noble Baroness, Lady Fraser of Craigmaddie, in her amendment on the register. I understand that one of the things that we are trying to do in this...

I will be equivalently concise. It is important to connect Amendment 657, which specifies that assisted dying

“is not to be regarded as medical treatment”,

with our debate on the broader conscience protections that the Bill needs to include. The reason is not just that regarding assisted dying as a treatment is...

I will be equivalently concise. It is important to connect Amendment 657, which specifies that assisted dying

“is not to be regarded as medical treatment”,

with our debate on the broader conscience protections that the Bill needs to include. The reason is not just that regarding assisted dying as a treatment is...

My Lords, I have Amendments 673A and 679 in this group. Amendment 673A would provide that a medical practitioner who had opted into the process could choose to opt out at any time, and Amendment 679 would insert a new clause.

I will start with a number of questions for the...

My Lords, I have Amendments 673A and 679 in this group. Amendment 673A would provide that a medical practitioner who had opted into the process could choose to opt out at any time, and Amendment 679 would insert a new clause.

I will start with a number of questions for the...

My Lords, I will speak to the main theme of this group, but particularly to Amendment 679 in the name of the noble Baroness, Lady Grey-Thompson, which I believe is essential if we are to safeguard the valuable work of faith-based hospices and care homes, along with other institutions, that...

My Lords, I will speak to the main theme of this group, but particularly to Amendment 679 in the name of the noble Baroness, Lady Grey-Thompson, which I believe is essential if we are to safeguard the valuable work of faith-based hospices and care homes, along with other institutions, that...

If my noble and learned friend were to introduce into the Bill the provisions that the noble Lord wishes, would he then be in favour of such a Bill?

If my noble and learned friend were to introduce into the Bill the provisions that the noble Lord wishes, would he then be in favour of such a Bill?

I think that the noble Baroness will be under no illusion: I am personally against the Bill, because I do not believe in it. But if there is a Bill, we have to have any protection in it—that is completely different. Therefore, in the context of the suggestion that, because...

I think that the noble Baroness will be under no illusion: I am personally against the Bill, because I do not believe in it. But if there is a Bill, we have to have any protection in it—that is completely different. Therefore, in the context of the suggestion that, because...

My Lords, I rise not least because it is very important for us to take a moment to understand the importance of this debate—in particular, to address the matters raised by the noble Lord, Lord Pannick. I too have sat through all the days in Committee, and noble Lords will...

My Lords, I rise not least because it is very important for us to take a moment to understand the importance of this debate—in particular, to address the matters raised by the noble Lord, Lord Pannick. I too have sat through all the days in Committee, and noble Lords will...