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| Anger at abortion debate timing | Anger at abortion debate timing |
| (about 6 hours later) | |
| MPs are set to debate embryology and fertility laws, amid anger that Commons timetabling may lead to controversial amendments being shelved. | |
| Key abortion amendments to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill are now unlikely to be heard. | Key abortion amendments to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill are now unlikely to be heard. |
| They include a proposal to extend abortion rights to Northern Ireland and a measure that would cut the number of doctors needed to approve an abortion. | They include a proposal to extend abortion rights to Northern Ireland and a measure that would cut the number of doctors needed to approve an abortion. |
| Campaigners on both sides of the debate are said to be angry at the timetable. | Campaigners on both sides of the debate are said to be angry at the timetable. |
| Controversy | Controversy |
| If approved, the bill would result in the most significant shake-up of embryology laws, including on use of stem cell research, for 20 years. | If approved, the bill would result in the most significant shake-up of embryology laws, including on use of stem cell research, for 20 years. |
| Its third reading was due in July but was delayed until the autumn amid claims that the government was worried about its political impact in the run-up to the Glasgow East by-election. | Its third reading was due in July but was delayed until the autumn amid claims that the government was worried about its political impact in the run-up to the Glasgow East by-election. |
| House of Commons leader Harriet Harman, who has insisted the bill remains a "flagship" government measure, will outline the remaining stages for the bill on Wednesday. | House of Commons leader Harriet Harman, who has insisted the bill remains a "flagship" government measure, will outline the remaining stages for the bill on Wednesday. |
| The BBC's health correspondent Branwen Jeffreys said she had been told there would be a whipped vote on a government motion to put the embryology aspects of the bill ahead of sections on abortion. | The BBC's health correspondent Branwen Jeffreys said she had been told there would be a whipped vote on a government motion to put the embryology aspects of the bill ahead of sections on abortion. |
| Opposition MPs believe this means abortion amendments are unlikely to be discussed. | Opposition MPs believe this means abortion amendments are unlikely to be discussed. |
| These amendments include a proposal to lower the requirement for two doctors to sign their approval for an abortion to one and a proposed extension of the 1967 Abortion Act to Northern Ireland. | These amendments include a proposal to lower the requirement for two doctors to sign their approval for an abortion to one and a proposed extension of the 1967 Abortion Act to Northern Ireland. |
| Abortion is illegal in Northern Ireland except in exceptional medical circumstances, such as when the mother's health is at risk. | Abortion is illegal in Northern Ireland except in exceptional medical circumstances, such as when the mother's health is at risk. |
| It has been reported that ministers are reluctant to allow a vote on these issues given the strength of opposition among Northern Irish MPs and fears that the House of Lords could block other proposals. | It has been reported that ministers are reluctant to allow a vote on these issues given the strength of opposition among Northern Irish MPs and fears that the House of Lords could block other proposals. |
| MPs have already rejected plans to lower the time limit for terminations. | MPs have already rejected plans to lower the time limit for terminations. |
| Labour MPs were given a free vote on the issue in May. | Labour MPs were given a free vote on the issue in May. |