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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Anger at abortion debate timing | Anger at abortion debate timing |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| MPs have begun debating the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill amid anger that Commons timetabling means amendments on abortion will be shelved. | |
| Several MPs expressed unhappiness that amendments relating to abortion would not be debated, one describing the government's actions as "shabby". | |
| Health minister Dawn Primarolo said the debate would cover issues of "profound importance" such as embryo research. | |
| 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. |
| 'Concern' | |
| The government is seeking a vote on a programme motion allowing it to dictate the order in which amendments to the bill, at its third and final reading in the Commons, are debated. | |
| Critics say this procedure will preclude debate on important issues to extend abortion rights to Northern Ireland and a measure which would cut the number of doctors needed to approve an abortion. | |
| Labour MP Dianne Abbott said the government's unwillingness to debate the extension of abortion laws to Northern Ireland was "shabby" and left women in Northern Ireland as "second class citizens" when it came to abortion rights. | |
| Tory spokesman Mark Simmonds said there was "real concern and anger" within Parliament that debate on key issues would be limited. | |
| Lib Dem spokesman Norman Lamb urged the government to give a commitment to give parliamentary time to a debate on abortion laws. | |
| But Labour MP Sir Gerald Kaufman defended the government's approach saying the bill was not primarily about abortion and it would be wrong to "pin" amendments on the issue on the bill at this stage. | |
| The BBC has learned that the government may allow Parliamentary debate time on abortion in two years' time. | The BBC has learned that the government may allow Parliamentary debate time on abortion in two years' time. |
| Science correspondent Tom Feilden said this was aimed at placating both sides, who feel the issue must be debated more fully. | Science correspondent Tom Feilden said this was aimed at placating both sides, who feel the issue must be debated more fully. |
| But the debate could come after the next general election, when the make-up of the Commons may have changed. | But the debate could come after the next general election, when the make-up of the Commons may have changed. |
| 'Hybrid' embryos | 'Hybrid' embryos |
| If approved, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill would result in the most significant shake-up of embryology laws for 20 years. | 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. | 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 | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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." | "It is a completely separate issue and I welcome the fact that this will be dealt with separately." |
| 'Into line' | '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. | 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." | 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 | 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. | 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. |
| Northern Ireland | Northern Ireland |
| 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." | 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." |
| But the Alive and Kicking Alliance - an umbrella organisation of anti-abortion groups - said "a small cross-party group of MPs with extreme views had been planning to hijack the Bill" and said revision of abortion law needed "more careful consideration". | But the Alive and Kicking Alliance - an umbrella organisation of anti-abortion groups - said "a small cross-party group of MPs with extreme views had been planning to hijack the Bill" and said revision of abortion law needed "more careful consideration". |
| 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. | 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. |
| The practice is illegal in Northern Ireland except in exceptional medical circumstances, such as when the mother's health is at risk. | The practice 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 Ireland 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 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. | The Commons rejected plans to lower the time limit for terminations, when Labour MPs were given a free vote on the issue in May. |