To ask His Majesty's Government how many civil servants are working on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill.

To ask His Majesty's Government how many civil servants are working on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill.

To ask His Majesty's Government whether civil servants have been allowed or instructed to continue working on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill when this parliamentary session ends.

To ask His Majesty's Government whether civil servants have been allowed or instructed to continue working on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill when this parliamentary session ends.

Lords committee stage fourteenth day. Lords motion that the House do now resolve itself into Committee. Amendments to the motion debated and withdrawn. Original motion withdrawn.

Lords committee stage fourteenth day. Lords motion that the House do now resolve itself into Committee. Amendments to the motion debated and withdrawn. Original motion withdrawn.

My Lords, as noble Lords are very aware, the Government remain neutral on the Bill and on the

principle of assisted dying. This is a Private Member’s Bill, not government legislation. On issues of societal change, as we have discussed, Private Members’ Bills have long been a vehicle to handle...

My Lords, as noble Lords are very aware, the Government remain neutral on the Bill and on the

principle of assisted dying. This is a Private Member’s Bill, not government legislation. On issues of societal change, as we have discussed, Private Members’ Bills have long been a vehicle to handle...

My Lords, I am grateful for the views that have been expressed today. As usual, I will keep my remarks to those amendments that raise significant legal, technical or operational workability concerns. I very much associate myself from these Benches with the welcome to the noble and learned Baroness, Lady...

My Lords, I am grateful for the views that have been expressed today. As usual, I will keep my remarks to those amendments that raise significant legal, technical or operational workability concerns. I very much associate myself from these Benches with the welcome to the noble and learned Baroness, Lady...

I am sure that all noble Lords welcome that report and its comments but, as the noble Baroness is aware, it is a matter for the sponsor to decide the response to that rather than the Government.

I am sure that all noble Lords welcome that report and its comments but, as the noble Baroness is aware, it is a matter for the sponsor to decide the response to that rather than the Government.

As noble Lords will be aware, engaging with the devolved Governments is a matter for the sponsor, not the Government.

As noble Lords will be aware, engaging with the devolved Governments is a matter for the sponsor, not the Government.

I note the comments that the noble Lord has made.

I note the comments that the noble Lord has made.

My Lords, I am most grateful for the debate that we have had today. In keeping my comments limited to amendments on which the Government have major legal, technical or operational workability concerns, I turn first to Amendments 171A and 174A, tabled by the noble Baroness, Lady Nicholson. The duty...

My Lords, I am most grateful for the debate that we have had today. In keeping my comments limited to amendments on which the Government have major legal, technical or operational workability concerns, I turn first to Amendments 171A and 174A, tabled by the noble Baroness, Lady Nicholson. The duty...

Lords committee stage twelfth day. Clause 5 under consideration.

Lords committee stage twelfth day. Clause 5 under consideration.

I am most grateful to noble Lords for their contributions to this debate on independent advocates. I will limit my comments to those amendments on which the Government have major legal, technical or operational workability concerns.

I turn first to Amendments 168, 300 and 553, tabled by the noble Baroness, Lady...

I am most grateful to noble Lords for their contributions to this debate on independent advocates. I will limit my comments to those amendments on which the Government have major legal, technical or operational workability concerns.

I turn first to Amendments 168, 300 and 553, tabled by the noble Baroness, Lady...

My Lords, The Government do not have major workability concerns with Amendments 175 and 384, tabled by the noble Lord, Lord Moylan, whom we are very pleased to see in his place; long may he continue to be there.

I will say a few words about clinical practice, which may be...

My Lords, The Government do not have major workability concerns with Amendments 175 and 384, tabled by the noble Lord, Lord Moylan, whom we are very pleased to see in his place; long may he continue to be there.

I will say a few words about clinical practice, which may be...

Lords committee stage ninth day. Clause 2, as amended, agreed to. Clause 3 agreed to.

Lords committee stage ninth day. Clause 2, as amended, agreed to. Clause 3 agreed to.

My Lords, I am grateful for the contributions on eligibility and definition of terminal illness. Once again, I will keep detailed comments limited to amendments on which the Government have major legal, technical or operational workability concerns.

First, I will give a reassurance to your Lordships’ House in response to the...

My Lords, I am grateful for the contributions on eligibility and definition of terminal illness. Once again, I will keep detailed comments limited to amendments on which the Government have major legal, technical or operational workability concerns.

First, I will give a reassurance to your Lordships’ House in response to the...

I will briefly look at the actual amendment. As I said in my response, the workability concerns are about the specification of a list of illnesses or diseases. I have already outlined why that would be unworkable—because it is often a combination of illnesses, as well as the complications of...

I will briefly look at the actual amendment. As I said in my response, the workability concerns are about the specification of a list of illnesses or diseases. I have already outlined why that would be unworkable—because it is often a combination of illnesses, as well as the complications of...

We are discussing a group of amendments about the definition of terminal illness. I have already placed a letter in the Library of the House outlining all the work in respect of palliative care. I have also made reference to the modern service framework.

We are discussing a group of amendments about the definition of terminal illness. I have already placed a letter in the Library of the House outlining all the work in respect of palliative care. I have also made reference to the modern service framework.

I am sorry the noble Lord is confused. I know that my noble and learned friend Lord Falconer will be pleased to assist him with any confusion that there is in the case of this amendment.

I am sorry the noble Lord is confused. I know that my noble and learned friend Lord Falconer will be pleased to assist him with any confusion that there is in the case of this amendment.

My Lords, I am grateful to noble Lords for their contributions to this debate. Amendment 87, tabled by my noble and learned friend Lord Falconer, the sponsor of the Bill, would clarify the intention of the current Clause 2(2), which is to prevent someone becoming eligible for an assisted death...

My Lords, I am grateful to noble Lords for their contributions to this debate. Amendment 87, tabled by my noble and learned friend Lord Falconer, the sponsor of the Bill, would clarify the intention of the current Clause 2(2), which is to prevent someone becoming eligible for an assisted death...

My Lords, I thank all noble Lords for their contributions on mental capacity and eligibility. As usual, I will keep my comments limited to those amendments on which the Government have major legal, technical or operational workability concerns. Indeed, if I do not refer to an amendment, clearly that is...

My Lords, I thank all noble Lords for their contributions on mental capacity and eligibility. As usual, I will keep my comments limited to those amendments on which the Government have major legal, technical or operational workability concerns. Indeed, if I do not refer to an amendment, clearly that is...

I am sure that both I and my noble friend will be very pleased, together or separately, to reply to the noble Baroness.

I am sure that both I and my noble friend will be very pleased, together or separately, to reply to the noble Baroness.