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Assisted Dying Bill: MPs start 'right to die' debate Assisted Dying Bill: MPs debating the 'right to die'
(35 minutes later)
MPs are debating whether some terminally ill adults in England and Wales should be allowed to end their lives with medical supervision. A passionate debate on the "right to die" is taking place in the House of Commons.
Under proposals, people with less than six months to live could be prescribed a lethal dose of drugs, which only they are allowed to take. MPs are discussing proposals to allow adults with six months to live in England and Wales to end their lives with medical supervision.
It could lead to the first vote in the House of Commons on the issue in nearly 20 years. Some have argued it would allow a "dignified and peaceful death" while others say it is "legally and ethically totally unacceptable".
The Archbishop of Canterbury is among those to have voiced opposition. David Cameron says he is not in favour of a step "closer to euthanasia".
Under the proposals, people with less than six months to live could be prescribed a lethal dose of drugs, which they have to be able to take themselves. Two doctors and a High Court judge would have to approve every case.
It would not allow a person with a non-terminal disability or with dementia to be assisted to die. Medical professionals would be entitled to refuse to be involved.
The bill is being brought before the Commons by Rob Marris, the Labour MP for Wolverhampton South West.The bill is being brought before the Commons by Rob Marris, the Labour MP for Wolverhampton South West.
LIVE: Watch the assisted dying debateLIVE: Watch the assisted dying debate
Opening the debate, Mr Marris, said the current laws did not meet the needs of the terminally ill, families or the medical profession. Opening the debate, he said the current law did not meet the needs of the terminally ill, families or the medical profession.
He said there were too many "amateur suicides, and people going to Dignitas" and it was time for parliament to debate the issue because "social attitudes have changed".He said there were too many "amateur suicides, and people going to Dignitas" and it was time for parliament to debate the issue because "social attitudes have changed".
Mr Marris added: "Different people faced with same set of circumstances make different choices. The law in England and Wales has not got the balance right. Mr Marris added: "The law in England and Wales has not got the balance right.
"This Bill would provide more protection for living and more choice for the dying.""This Bill would provide more protection for living and more choice for the dying."
Mr Marris said he did not know whether he would choose to take the option of assisted dying if he were terminally ill, but he said he would find it comforting to know that the choice was available "to have a dignified and peaceful death at the time of my choosing". Mr Marris said he did not know what choice he would make if he was terminally ill, but said it would be comforting to know that the choice was available "to have a dignified and peaceful death at the time of my choosing".
He also sought to allay the fears of disabled people, saying the bill was not relevant to them. Fiona Bruce, the MP for Congleton, said the bill was so completely lacking safeguards for the vulnerable that "if this weren't so serious it would be laughable".
The deputy speaker in the Commons said there was "unprecedented" demand to take part in the debate with 85 MPs indicating they wanted to speak. Her impassioned speech concluded: "We are here to protect the most vulnerable in our society, not to legislate to kill them. This bill is not merely flawed, it is legally and ethically totally unacceptable."
The Conservative MP Caroline Spelman warned "the right to die can so easily become the duty to die" and current law provided protection for the elderly and disabled. The Conservative MP Caroline Spelman added that "the right to die can so easily become the duty to die" and she said the law already provided protection for the elderly and disabled.
She argued there were "not enough safeguards" in the bill and added that it was difficult to determine whether someone had six months to live. She was one of many MPs to argue that it was difficult to determine whether someone had six months to live.
She added: "[The bill] changes the relationship between the doctor and their patient, it would not just legitimise suicide, but promote the participation of others in it." She also warned: "[The bill] changes the relationship between the doctor and their patient, it would not just legitimise suicide, but promote the participation of others in it."
Prime Minister David Cameron is not present at the debate, but a spokesman said: "The Prime Minister has made his views clear on this issue before, he is not convinced that further steps need to be taken and he is not in favour of an approach that would take us closer to euthanasia."
Mentally competentMentally competent
Mr Marris won a private member's bill ballot in June guaranteeing time in the chamber for the legislation.Mr Marris won a private member's bill ballot in June guaranteeing time in the chamber for the legislation.
Lord Falconer put the first Assisted Dying Bill before the House of Lords, but it ran out of time before the 2015 general election. After the debate, MPs could then vote on assisted dying for the first time since 1997.
MPs are debating the bill this morning and could then have the opportunity to vote on assisted dying for the first time since 1997. However, the government is not backing the bill so it may struggle to become law.
Prime Minister David Cameron is not present at the vote, but a spokesman said: "The Prime Minister has made his views clear on this issue before, he is not convinced that further steps need to be taken and he is not in favour of an approach that would take us closer to euthanasia." In the last parliament, Lord Falconer put forward an Assisted Dying Bill in the House of Lords, but it ran out of time before the 2015 general election.
Under Marris's bill, two doctors and a High Court judge would have to agree to assisted dying for any patient. That means they would have to be satisfied that he or she was mentally competent, had less than six months to live and had been informed of all the alternatives.
The Bill would only permit the patient to administer the medication to end their own life - not a doctor - so it would not allow euthanasia.
Medical professionals would be entitled to refuse to be involved in the process.
The Bill would not allow a person with a non-terminal disability or with dementia to be assisted to die.
The law on assisted dying around the UKThe law on assisted dying around the UK
Euthanasia, which is considered as manslaughter or murder, is illegal under English law.Euthanasia, which is considered as manslaughter or murder, is illegal under English law.
The Suicide Act 1961 makes it an offence to encourage or assist a suicide or a suicide attempt in England and Wales. Anyone doing so could face up to 14 years in prison.The Suicide Act 1961 makes it an offence to encourage or assist a suicide or a suicide attempt in England and Wales. Anyone doing so could face up to 14 years in prison.
The law is almost identical in Northern Ireland.The law is almost identical in Northern Ireland.
There is no specific law on assisted suicide in Scotland, creating some uncertainty, although in theory someone could be prosecuted under homicide legislation.There is no specific law on assisted suicide in Scotland, creating some uncertainty, although in theory someone could be prosecuted under homicide legislation.