The Infected Blood Inquiry made recommendations to improve patient care and safety, and strengthen the voice of patients in the healthcare system.

The Infected Blood Inquiry made recommendations to improve patient care and safety, and strengthen the voice of patients in the healthcare system.

This briefing gives an overview of hormone treatments used to treat gender dysphoria in children and young people and details the government-funded PATHWAYS research programme into the safety and effectiveness of these treatments.

This briefing gives an overview of hormone treatments used to treat gender dysphoria in children and young people and details the government-funded PATHWAYS research programme into the safety and effectiveness of these treatments.

Lords committee stage fifth day. Clause 1 under consideration.

Lords committee stage fifth day. Clause 1 under consideration.

Moved by

Lord Carlile of Berriew

25: Clause 1, page 1, line 12, at end insert—

“(e) has had their application for assistance under section (Application for assistance with suicide order) approved by the Court,”

Moved by

Lord Carlile of Berriew

25: Clause 1, page 1, line 12, at end insert—

“(e) has had their application for assistance under section (Application for assistance with suicide order) approved by the Court,”

My Lords, I welcome what the noble and learned Lord has just said, which I am sure will be welcome to most Members of the Committee.

Amendment 25 stands in my name and those of my noble friend Lady Hollins and my noble and right reverend friend Lord Harries of Pentregarth....

My Lords, I welcome what the noble and learned Lord has just said, which I am sure will be welcome to most Members of the Committee.

Amendment 25 stands in my name and those of my noble friend Lady Hollins and my noble and right reverend friend Lord Harries of Pentregarth....

My Lords, I will speak to Amendment 120 and the amendments consequential to it. I should explain at the outset that my remarks incorporate the concerns of my noble friend Lord Farmer, who regrets that he is unable to be here. We are both worried, as I know are many...

My Lords, I will speak to Amendment 120 and the amendments consequential to it. I should explain at the outset that my remarks incorporate the concerns of my noble friend Lord Farmer, who regrets that he is unable to be here. We are both worried, as I know are many...

My Lords, I have added my name to several of my noble friend’s amendments and I would like to congratulate him on finding a solution that could allow the Bill to meet one of the sponsors’ original aspirations. The impact of Amendments 25 and 120 are many. One that may...

My Lords, I have added my name to several of my noble friend’s amendments and I would like to congratulate him on finding a solution that could allow the Bill to meet one of the sponsors’ original aspirations. The impact of Amendments 25 and 120 are many. One that may...

My Lords, I will speak briefly to two of the amendments in this group. I am grateful to the noble Lord, Lord Carlile, for meeting me in relation to his proposals under Amendment 120.

This group also contains related Amendment 116, which would introduce the capacity test that the noble Lord...

My Lords, I will speak briefly to two of the amendments in this group. I am grateful to the noble Lord, Lord Carlile, for meeting me in relation to his proposals under Amendment 120.

This group also contains related Amendment 116, which would introduce the capacity test that the noble Lord...

My Lords, the noble Lord, Lord Carlile, made a very powerful case, if I may say so, for judicial control to provide the independent scrutiny that we all agree is required in some form to ensure that the criteria of the Bill are satisfied in

individual cases. However, I offer...

My Lords, the noble Lord, Lord Carlile, made a very powerful case, if I may say so, for judicial control to provide the independent scrutiny that we all agree is required in some form to ensure that the criteria of the Bill are satisfied in

individual cases. However, I offer...

I am interested in the noble Lord’s view of the panel. I appreciate that he is discussing Schedule 2, but there are parts of this Bill where a unanimous decision of that panel is not needed, so it is quite possible that the medical person could be overruled by the...

I am interested in the noble Lord’s view of the panel. I appreciate that he is discussing Schedule 2, but there are parts of this Bill where a unanimous decision of that panel is not needed, so it is quite possible that the medical person could be overruled by the...

With great respect, that is not my understanding. The next point I was going to make is that paragraph 5(3) of Schedule 2 answers the very point just made by the noble Baroness. It states:

“The panel is to be treated as having decided to refuse to grant a certificate of...

With great respect, that is not my understanding. The next point I was going to make is that paragraph 5(3) of Schedule 2 answers the very point just made by the noble Baroness. It states:

“The panel is to be treated as having decided to refuse to grant a certificate of...

May I probe the noble Lord a little further? In the evidence given by witnesses to the Select Committee, it was said that somebody should not be allowed simply to abstain; and that, if these people are being appointed as professionals to these panels, they should express a view. At...

May I probe the noble Lord a little further? In the evidence given by witnesses to the Select Committee, it was said that somebody should not be allowed simply to abstain; and that, if these people are being appointed as professionals to these panels, they should express a view. At...

I am sorry but, with the greatest respect, the noble Baroness has not listened or read what is in the Bill. If any of the three members is unwise enough to abstain—I agree that it is highly undesirable that they should—because they are not satisfied that the case is made...

I am sorry but, with the greatest respect, the noble Baroness has not listened or read what is in the Bill. If any of the three members is unwise enough to abstain—I agree that it is highly undesirable that they should—because they are not satisfied that the case is made...

I agree with the noble Lord’s assessment.

I agree with the noble Lord’s assessment.

If the noble Baroness reads the Bill, her concern will be addressed.

Then we need to look at paragraph 8 of Schedule 2, which tells the commissioner that he or she

“may give guidance about … practice and procedure”.

I would be very surprised if the practice and procedure did not allow for...

If the noble Baroness reads the Bill, her concern will be addressed.

Then we need to look at paragraph 8 of Schedule 2, which tells the commissioner that he or she

“may give guidance about … practice and procedure”.

I would be very surprised if the practice and procedure did not allow for...

I am very grateful to the noble Lord. If he just looks again at paragraph 5 of Schedule 2, it may be that there is a wholesale ambiguity. Sub-paragraph (2) says:

“Decisions of a panel may be taken by a majority vote; but this is subject to sub-paragraph (3)”,

which the noble...

I am very grateful to the noble Lord. If he just looks again at paragraph 5 of Schedule 2, it may be that there is a wholesale ambiguity. Sub-paragraph (2) says:

“Decisions of a panel may be taken by a majority vote; but this is subject to sub-paragraph (3)”,

which the noble...

No, they do not, because the majority vote does not apply to the question of whether a certificate of eligibility applies. There may be a majority vote on other issues; for example, whether to have a hearing or to require documents, or something of that sort. But on the fundamental...

No, they do not, because the majority vote does not apply to the question of whether a certificate of eligibility applies. There may be a majority vote on other issues; for example, whether to have a hearing or to require documents, or something of that sort. But on the fundamental...

I wish to speak to Amendments 25 and 120 in the name of the noble Lord, Lord Carlile of Berriew, to which my name is attached. They are amendments which I believe go to the very heart of the Bill. It is vital that if the Bill eventually comes into...

I wish to speak to Amendments 25 and 120 in the name of the noble Lord, Lord Carlile of Berriew, to which my name is attached. They are amendments which I believe go to the very heart of the Bill. It is vital that if the Bill eventually comes into...

My Lords, I am the only person in this House who was President of the Family Division. I did the final part of the Bland case, to allow him to die. I very much prefer the idea that we should have a court-based decision, for the reasons that have already...

My Lords, I am the only person in this House who was President of the Family Division. I did the final part of the Bland case, to allow him to die. I very much prefer the idea that we should have a court-based decision, for the reasons that have already...

My Lords, I am diffidently following the noble and learned Baroness, with her experience both as a legislator and as a very senior

judge. I am very pleased she intervened when she did, because her contribution has been most helpful, There is always a difficulty for someone like me, who...

My Lords, I am diffidently following the noble and learned Baroness, with her experience both as a legislator and as a very senior

judge. I am very pleased she intervened when she did, because her contribution has been most helpful, There is always a difficulty for someone like me, who...