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Anger at abortion debate timing Anger at abortion debate timing
(about 1 hour later)
MPs are set to debate embryology and fertility laws, amid anger that Commons timetabling may lead to controversial amendments being shelved. MPs are set to debate the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill, amid anger that Commons timetabling means amendments on abortion will be shelved.
Key abortion amendments to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill are now unlikely to be heard. These include a proposal to extend abortion rights to Northern Ireland and a measure which 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 The BBC has learned that the government may allow Parliamentary debate time on abortion in two years' time.
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. Science correspondent Tom Feilden said this was aimed at placating both sides, who feel the issue must be debated more fully.
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. But the debate could come after the next general election, when the make-up of the Commons may have changed.
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. 'Hybrid' embryos
If approved, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill would result in the most significant shake-up of embryology laws for 20 years.
MPs will vote on Wednesday on issues including the growing and harvesting of "hybrid embryos" for stem cells, and using "saviour siblings" to provide bone marrow or umbilical cord tissue to help a brother or sister with a genetic condition.
This is simply a device by government to deny Parliament a say on a free-vote issue and it's control freakery at its worst Evan Harris, Lib Dems
The bill's third reading had been 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.
Baroness Deech, the former chairman of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, said the bill introduced important reforms to embryology research and IVF treatments and the abortion debate should not be allowed to derail it.
She told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "It would be tragic it it were to be hijacked by abortion provisions which really have nothing to do with the rest of the bill.
"It is a completely separate issue and I welcome the fact that this will be dealt with separately."
'Into line'
But Ann Furedi, chief executive of the British Pregnancy Advisory Service, said this would mean missing the best opportunity to debate abortion law since 1990.
She added: "There is a need to modernise the abortion law and bring it into line with medical practice and scientific evidence just as fertility treatment."
FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme
House of Commons leader Harriet Harman, who has insisted the bill remains a "flagship" government measure, will outline the timetable for its remaining stages 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. Northern Ireland
Abortion is illegal in Northern Ireland except in exceptional medical circumstances, such as when the mother's health is at risk. Liberal Democrat science spokesman Evan Harris said: "It seems that this is simply a device by government to deny Parliament a say on a free-vote issue and it's control freakery at its worst."
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. The amendments which could be lost include a proposal that one doctor - rather than two - should have to sign their approval for an abortion, and a proposed extension of the 1967 Abortion Act to Northern Ireland.
MPs have already rejected plans to lower the time limit for terminations. The practice is illegal in Northern Ireland except in exceptional medical circumstances, such as when the mother's health is at risk.
Labour MPs were given a free vote on the issue in May. It has been reported that ministers are reluctant to allow a vote on these issues given the strength of opposition among Northern Ireland MPs and fears that the House of Lords could block other proposals.
The Commons rejected plans to lower the time limit for terminations, when Labour MPs were given a free vote on the issue in May.