§ Mr. Neil Thorne (Ilford, South)I have two petitions, Mr. Deputy Speaker. They are in identical terms. One is from 754 of my constituents, and the other from 39 of my constituents. The petitions are for the protection of the human embryo, and they read as follows:
The humble petition of the residents of the constituency of Ilford, South showeth that we affirm that the newly fertilised embryo is a real, living individual human being.Therefore we welcome the statement in the report of the Committee of Enquiry into Human Fertilisation and Embryology (the Warnock report) that "the status of the embryo is a matter of fundamental principle which should be enshrined in legislation", and its recommendation that the embryo of the human species should be afforded protection in law.And therefore oppose all such practices as are recommended in the report which discriminate against the embryo or violate his/her human dignity and right to life.Wherefore your petitioners pray that the House of Commons will take immediate steps to enact legislation which forbids any procedure which involves purchase or sale of human embryos, the discarding of human embryos, their use as sources of transplant tissue or as subjects for research or experiment (unless this is done solely for the benefit of the embryo concerned).And your petitioners, as in duty bound, will every pray etc.The larger petition was sought by Mrs. Julie Silversides of St. Thomas vicarage, Burnside road, Dagenham in my constituency, assisted by Mr. B. K. Tully of 230 Ashburton avenue. The smaller petition was obtained by Mr. Peter Martin of 107A Kinfauns road, Goodmayes. I 307 wish to associate myself entirely with the sentiments of the petitions, and I hope that the Government will take due note of the genuine and proper interest in this matter.
§ To lie upon the Table.