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MPs set for key embryology vote MPs support embryology proposals
(about 8 hours later)
MPs are to vote on the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill after a debate overshadowed by a row about the handling of abortion issues. MPs have backed the controversial Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill after a debate overshadowed by a row about the handling of abortion issues.
MPs from all parties complained that ministers had blocked debate on changes to abortion laws, one describing the government's actions as "shabby". The bill promises the biggest shake-up of embryology laws for nearly 20 years.
MPs from all parties complained ministers had blocked debate on changes to abortion laws, describing their actions as "shabby" and "disgraceful".
But health minister Dawn Primarolo said issues of "profound importance" such as embryo research had been addressed.But health minister Dawn Primarolo said issues of "profound importance" such as embryo research had been addressed.
The bill would cause the biggest shake-up of embryology laws for 20 years. Short debate
MPs will vote on a range of 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. After passing its third and final reading in the Commons by a large majority, the bill will now go the Lords.
'Dangerous' MPs voted on Wednesday on issues including the growing of "hybrid embryos" for stem cells but MPs expressed dismay that no time was allowed for votes on other issues, including those on abortion laws, at the end of a four-hour debate.
During the debate, a handful of MPs claimed measures in the bill would leave the door open to reproductive human cloning in the future by superseding a current ban on the practice.
Tory MP Edward Leigh said confusion over such an important issue was "dangerous" but Ms Primarolo, speaking for the government, said there was a "clear prohibition" on the practice in the bill.
She added that the bill would enable research to help tackle "debilitating" genetic conditions within an "ethical framework".
FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programmeFROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme
Earlier, MPs overwhelmingly backed a timetabling motion allowing ministers to dictate the order in which amendments to the bill, at its third and final reading in the Commons, are debated. MPs supported a procedural motion allowing ministers to dictate the order in which amendments to the bill were debated.
Critics said this procedure stopped 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. Critics said this procedure stopped 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.
MPs were also unable to debate the issue of so-called 'saviour siblings' - where an embryo is created to produce cells or organs for an older child suffering from disease.
Labour MP Diane Abbott said the government's unwillingness to debate the extension of the 1967 Abortion Act, which legalised abortion under certain conditions, to Northern Ireland was "shabby".Labour MP Diane Abbott said the government's unwillingness to debate the extension of the 1967 Abortion Act, which legalised abortion under certain conditions, to Northern Ireland was "shabby".
It would leave women there as "second class citizens" when it came to abortion rights, she added.It would leave women there as "second class citizens" when it came to abortion rights, she added.
'Real anger''Real anger'
Tory spokesman Mark Simmonds said there was "real concern and anger" within Parliament that debate on key issues would be limited.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. Lib Dem spokesman Norman Lamb urged the government to give a committment to provide additional parliamentary time for a separate 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. 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.
And the Democratic Unionists said the "sensitive" issue of abortion rights in Northern Ireland should ultimately be decided by the Northern Ireland Assembly not the Westminster Parliament. And the Democratic Unionists said the "sensitive" issue of abortion rights in Northern Ireland should ultimately be decided by the Northern Ireland Assembly, not the Westminster Parliament.
DUP member Jeffrey Donaldson said all parties in Northern Ireland were united in this view and that, should the amendment be passed, it would cause "considerable problems for the political process".DUP member Jeffrey Donaldson said all parties in Northern Ireland were united in this view and that, should the amendment be passed, it would cause "considerable problems for the political process".
"There is strong opposition in Northern Ireland to that proposition," he said. Abortion is illegal in Northern Ireland except in exceptional medical circumstances, such as when the mother's health is at risk. I believe we have arrived at the right balance of controlling but not constraining scientific research Dawn Primarolo
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 were reluctant to allow a vote on these issues given the strength of opposition in Northern Ireland. But the DUP denied it had done "any deal" with the government.
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 BBC has learned that the government may allow Parliamentary debate time on abortion in two years' time, although Ms Primarolo said there were "no plans" to introduce a specific bill on abortion.
Further debate Any debate could come after the next general election, when the make-up of the Commons may have changed.
The BBC has learned that the government may allow Parliamentary debate time on abortion in two years' time although Ms Primarolo said there were "no plans" to introduce a bill on abortion.
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.
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.
Ministers insist the bill remains a "flagship" government measure but opposition MPs have accused it of stifling debate over issues which are "politically embarrassing". In May, the Commons rejected plans to lower the time limit for terminations, when Labour MPs were given a free vote on the issue.
The Commons rejected plans to lower the time limit for terminations, when Labour MPs were given a free vote on the issue in May. Cloning concerns
In Wednesday's debate, a number of MPs claimed measures in the bill would leave the door open to reproductive human cloning in the future by superseding a current ban on the practice.
Tory MP Edward Leigh said confusion over such an important issue was "dangerous" but Ms Primarolo said there was a "clear prohibition" on the practice in the bill.
She added that the bill would enable research to help tackle "dreadful and debilitating" genetic conditions within an "ethical framework".
"I believe we have arrived at the right balance of controlling but not constraining scientific research," she said.
The Conservatives, which permitted its MPs a free vote on the bill, said the bill would keep the UK at the "forefront of medical innovation", while "protecting the special status of the embryo".
The Lib Dems, which also offered a free vote, said it would advance scientific research while providing a secure ethical framework.