No. I am trying to make some brief comments—

No. I am trying to make some brief comments—

The process was demanding because we were invited to consider issues that strike at the heart of what it means to be human. We have also looked—

The process was demanding because we were invited to consider issues that strike at the heart of what it means to be human. We have also looked—

I am listening very carefully to what the hon. Gentleman is saying. His basic argument relates to something falling outside the current prohibitions in the Bill. However, does he not agree that the definition of human admixed embryos, already discussed in the House, covers tetraploid complementation so that the Bill's...

I am listening very carefully to what the hon. Gentleman is saying. His basic argument relates to something falling outside the current prohibitions in the Bill. However, does he not agree that the definition of human admixed embryos, already discussed in the House, covers tetraploid complementation so that the Bill's...

I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for allowing an intervention. An application to the HFEA for a licence would have to be made at the outset if it was believed that the human DNA would become predominant, so it would be covered. Whether that was predominant at the start...

I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for allowing an intervention. An application to the HFEA for a licence would have to be made at the outset if it was believed that the human DNA would become predominant, so it would be covered. Whether that was predominant at the start...

My right hon. Friend will know that that is not for me to say as a Minister. I may have a view personally, but I am speaking from the Dispatch Box as a Minister. There is a free vote, and each Member will be able to decide. Those are the...

My right hon. Friend will know that that is not for me to say as a Minister. I may have a view personally, but I am speaking from the Dispatch Box as a Minister. There is a free vote, and each Member will be able to decide. Those are the...

With the leave of the House, Mr. Deputy Speaker. These are very important matters, and it is important to focus on the Bill. It is about IVF treatment. Actually, it is about access to the treatment, the improvement of that treatment and broadening the range of people who are entitled...

With the leave of the House, Mr. Deputy Speaker. These are very important matters, and it is important to focus on the Bill. It is about IVF treatment. Actually, it is about access to the treatment, the improvement of that treatment and broadening the range of people who are entitled...

I beg to move,"That the Order of 12th May 2008 (Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] (Programme)) be varied as follows:""1. Paragraphs 10 and 11 of the Order shall be omitted.""2. Proceedings on consideration shall be taken in the following order: amendments to the clauses of the Bill; amendments to...

I beg to move,"That the Order of 12th May 2008 (Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] (Programme)) be varied as follows:""1. Paragraphs 10 and 11 of the Order shall be omitted.""2. Proceedings on consideration shall be taken in the following order: amendments to the clauses of the Bill; amendments to...

We have looked at how to make regulation more inclusive and more reflective of 21st century society and family structures, including by covering the rights of same-sex couples.

We have looked at how to make regulation more inclusive and more reflective of 21st century society and family structures, including by covering the rights of same-sex couples.

I beg to move, That the Bill be now read the Third time. It has been a long journey to Third Reading, but a shared one, involving two years of scrutiny and discussion.

I beg to move, That the Bill be now read the Third time. It has been a long journey to Third Reading, but a shared one, involving two years of scrutiny and discussion.

When science throws our views and ethics into flux, legislation brings regulation and stability. The House has struck a new consensus of allowing science to stretch its wings and develop, but constraining it within what the House considers to be ethically acceptable. The US physician, Richard Cabot, said that science...

When science throws our views and ethics into flux, legislation brings regulation and stability. The House has struck a new consensus of allowing science to stretch its wings and develop, but constraining it within what the House considers to be ethically acceptable. The US physician, Richard Cabot, said that science...

The Government have listened carefully to views about what should be allowed, what should be prescribed and what controls should exist. I believe that we have arrived at the right balance of controlling but not constraining scientific research, with protection from a ““Brave New World”” scenario in which science overrides...

The Government have listened carefully to views about what should be allowed, what should be prescribed and what controls should exist. I believe that we have arrived at the right balance of controlling but not constraining scientific research, with protection from a ““Brave New World”” scenario in which science overrides...

None of the decisions were taken lightly. Indeed, precisely because of the Bill's controversial nature, because it involved such profound social and ethical issues, and because it was always going to provoke very different views, we depended more than ever on the guidance and scrutiny of those in this House...

None of the decisions were taken lightly. Indeed, precisely because of the Bill's controversial nature, because it involved such profound social and ethical issues, and because it was always going to provoke very different views, we depended more than ever on the guidance and scrutiny of those in this House...

I start by saying clearly—I will return to this point, as the hon. Member for Boston and Skegness (Mark Simmonds) asked me to—that the Bill sets out a clear prohibition on human reproductive cloning and the genetic modification of gametes or embryos that are to be used for treatment purposes....

I start by saying clearly—I will return to this point, as the hon. Member for Boston and Skegness (Mark Simmonds) asked me to—that the Bill sets out a clear prohibition on human reproductive cloning and the genetic modification of gametes or embryos that are to be used for treatment purposes....

Hon. Members know that the Bill is about helping the one in seven couples who need assistance with their fertility. It is about research to deal with the dreadful diseases and the debilitating attacks on their health from which many in our society suffer. The Bill is about combining science...

Hon. Members know that the Bill is about helping the one in seven couples who need assistance with their fertility. It is about research to deal with the dreadful diseases and the debilitating attacks on their health from which many in our society suffer. The Bill is about combining science...

I am asking my hon. Friend to think about being involved in the consultation, participating in the public debate and improving the draft regulations if and when they come forward. He should then fully participate in an affirmative resolution debate in the House before the regulations are passed. I am...

I am asking my hon. Friend to think about being involved in the consultation, participating in the public debate and improving the draft regulations if and when they come forward. He should then fully participate in an affirmative resolution debate in the House before the regulations are passed. I am...

Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill (HL). Programme motion (No 2) varying the order of proceedings on report stage and third reading. Agreed to on division (322 votes to 157). Report stage. Clause 3 debated with amendments and new clause 24. Amendments negatived on division. Third reading debate. Agreed to on division (355 votes to 129). Bill passed with amendments.

Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill (HL). Programme motion (No 2) varying the order of proceedings on report stage and third reading. Agreed to on division (322 votes to 157). Report stage. Clause 3 debated with amendments and new clause 24. Amendments negatived on division. Third reading debate. Agreed to on...

To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 30 June 2008, Official Report, column 659W, on the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill, what account was taken of the status of pro-nuclei as non-equivalent to the nucleus of an embryonic cell in developing the provisions of...

To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 30 June 2008, Official Report, column 659W, on the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill, what account was taken of the status of pro-nuclei as non-equivalent to the nucleus of an embryonic cell in developing the provisions of...

To ask the Secretary of State for Health with reference to the definitions of the terms (a) pronucleus and (b) embryo given by the Minister of State in the Public Bill Committee on the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill on 3 June 2008, Official Report, columns 13 and 24, for...

To ask the Secretary of State for Health with reference to the definitions of the terms (a) pronucleus and (b) embryo given by the Minister of State in the Public Bill Committee on the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill on 3 June 2008, Official Report, columns 13 and 24, for...

I am grateful to the hon. Lady for saying that she supports abortion. She will agree that it is a good point that 89 per cent. of abortions are conducted in the first 13 weeks, so her case about getting more done does not really stand up.

I am grateful to the hon. Lady for saying that she supports abortion. She will agree that it is a good point that 89 per cent. of abortions are conducted in the first 13 weeks, so her case about getting more done does not really stand up.

Where?

Where?