§ 27. Mr. KhabraTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what consideration underlay his Department's decision to organise a consultation exercise on its response to the Law Commission's report on mental incapacity. [16442]
§ Mr. Jonathan EvansIn considering the Law Commission's report on mental incapacity, the Government recognise that that is an important and sensitive subject which raises moral and ethical issues about which many people have strong personal views. Therefore, the Government believe that it would be inappropriate to make any proposals to Parliament in the absence of there being full public consultation.
§ Mr. KhabraWill the Parliamentary Secretary confirm that competent patients' advance refusals of treatment for their medical conditions are legally binding on doctors by virtue of case law?
§ Mr. EvansI do not intend to be drawn into giving at the Dispatch Box answers about hypothetical legal situations. I am aware that the hon. Gentleman has some of those strong personal views to which I referred. He is keen to see voluntary euthanasia made acceptable, but the Government fully support the conclusion of the House of Lords Select Committee on Medical Ethics that euthanasia is unacceptable. Further, the Law Commission's report on the subject made no proposals for the legalisation of euthanasia.