To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what involvement he had in the establishment and membership of the UK Stem Cell Initiative.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what involvement he had in the establishment and membership of the UK Stem Cell Initiative.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 10 July 2006, Official Report, columns 1519-20W, on human cloning, if she will place in the Library copies of the instructions sent to the UK delegation; if she will list the (a) Departments, (b)...

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 10 July 2006, Official Report, columns 1519-20W, on human cloning, if she will place in the Library copies of the instructions sent to the UK delegation; if she will list the (a) Departments, (b)...

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs why the United Kingdom voted against the declaration on human cloning at the United Nations General Assembly; which countries (a) voted in favour, (b) voted against and (c) abstained on the resolution; if she will place in the Library...

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs why the United Kingdom voted against the declaration on human cloning at the United Nations General Assembly; which countries (a) voted in favour, (b) voted against and (c) abstained on the resolution; if she will place in the Library...

Main estimates 2006-07. Third estimates day (part one). Motion that, for the year ending with 31st March 2007, for expenditure by the Department of Health— (1) further resources, not exceeding £37,417,520,000, be authorised for use as set out in House of Commons Paper No. 1035, (2) a further sum, not exceeding £38,276,451,000, be granted to Her Majesty out of the Consolidated Fund to meet the costs as so set out, and (3) limits as so set out be set on appropriations in aid. Question deferred. Resolved.

Main estimates 2006-07. Third estimates day (part one). Motion that, for the year ending with 31st March 2007, for expenditure by the Department of Health— (1) further resources, not exceeding £37,417,520,000, be authorised for use as set out in House of Commons Paper No. 1035, (2) a further sum, not...

I apologise, Mr. Deputy Speaker. The hon. Lady says that only 1 per cent. of abortions take place after 22 weeks. Can she give a rough breakdown to explain why those abortions take place so late?

I apologise, Mr. Deputy Speaker. The hon. Lady says that only 1 per cent. of abortions take place after 22 weeks. Can she give a rough breakdown to explain why those abortions take place so late?

What scientific evidence was there for the doctors who made that decision—the 77 per cent. who voted against reducing the time limit for abortion from 24 weeks to 22 weeks? Was there any scientific evidence behind that decision? [Interruption.]

What scientific evidence was there for the doctors who made that decision—the 77 per cent. who voted against reducing the time limit for abortion from 24 weeks to 22 weeks? Was there any scientific evidence behind that decision? [Interruption.]

Yes. Women who have abortions late are very young, or women going through the menopause, women who do not speak English, women who come across the one fifth of GPs who say they are broadly anti-abortion, women who have had difficulty accessing services and women who are scared, ill educated...

Yes. Women who have abortions late are very young, or women going through the menopause, women who do not speak English, women who come across the one fifth of GPs who say they are broadly anti-abortion, women who have had difficulty accessing services and women who are scared, ill educated...

As a society, we are increasingly uncomfortable with the existence of received wisdom and moral certainties. It is probably also true to say that we are becoming uncomfortable even with the principles of secular morality—be it utilitarian or libertarian. Such secular morality is increasingly branded as an extension of ““public...

As a society, we are increasingly uncomfortable with the existence of received wisdom and moral certainties. It is probably also true to say that we are becoming uncomfortable even with the principles of secular morality—be it utilitarian or libertarian. Such secular morality is increasingly branded as an extension of ““public...

I appreciate the opportunity to address the House on recommendation 77 of the Science and Technology Committee, which calls on both Houses"““ to set up a joint committee to consider the scientific, medical and social changes in relation to abortion that have taken place since 1967, with a view to...

I appreciate the opportunity to address the House on recommendation 77 of the Science and Technology Committee, which calls on both Houses"““ to set up a joint committee to consider the scientific, medical and social changes in relation to abortion that have taken place since 1967, with a view to...

You say that 1 per cent. of abortions—

You say that 1 per cent. of abortions—

Is not there a moral imperative to protect the unborn child?

Is not there a moral imperative to protect the unborn child?

The hon. Gentleman says that we should not discriminate against lesbian couples but, unfortunately, life is discriminatory. The Almighty decided that children would be made through intercourse between a man and a woman. That is nature’s way of creating children. Why does he discount that?

The hon. Gentleman says that we should not discriminate against lesbian couples but, unfortunately, life is discriminatory. The Almighty decided that children would be made through intercourse between a man and a woman. That is nature’s way of creating children. Why does he discount that?

That is exactly the point that I was making and I am sorry if I misled the hon. Gentleman. It is important that Parliament be given an opportunity. The bioethics committee is the right vehicle for that.

That is exactly the point that I was making and I am sorry if I misled the hon. Gentleman. It is important that Parliament be given an opportunity. The bioethics committee is the right vehicle for that.

Is the hon. Gentleman seriously suggesting that if we do not allow people to select the sex of their children, we will have parents committing infanticide?

Is the hon. Gentleman seriously suggesting that if we do not allow people to select the sex of their children, we will have parents committing infanticide?

No, I did not say that. We want high moral standards in this country. We do not want to force people to go to other countries with lower moral and ethical standards. For example, the Mastertons had to go to Italy for treatment. Tragically, that resulted in only one male...

No, I did not say that. We want high moral standards in this country. We do not want to force people to go to other countries with lower moral and ethical standards. For example, the Mastertons had to go to Italy for treatment. Tragically, that resulted in only one male...

Just because another country may have lower ethical or moral standards, does the hon. Gentleman think that we should introduce them here?

Just because another country may have lower ethical or moral standards, does the hon. Gentleman think that we should introduce them here?

Absolutely not, because as the hon. Gentleman knows full well, men are biologically able to go on having children into their 70s and 80s. However, what is proved by deliberately taking a woman who is past her point of fertility—perhaps 15 or 20 years past—and impregnating her?

Absolutely not, because as the hon. Gentleman knows full well, men are biologically able to go on having children into their 70s and 80s. However, what is proved by deliberately taking a woman who is past her point of fertility—perhaps 15 or 20 years past—and impregnating her?

Not in the slightest. I made the lifestyle choice of getting married and having children. People make such choices. If one chooses to live in a same-sex relationship, it is difficult to have children naturally. I have a good friend who is a homosexual. He and his homosexual partner found...

Not in the slightest. I made the lifestyle choice of getting married and having children. People make such choices. If one chooses to live in a same-sex relationship, it is difficult to have children naturally. I have a good friend who is a homosexual. He and his homosexual partner found...