§ Lord SUDELEYMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the police are continuing their investigation into the possible assisted suicide of Mrs. Hettie Crystal of Vaughan Avenue, Hendon, on 4th December 1979, despite the open verdict recorded by the coroners.
§ The PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY, HOME OFFICE (Lord Belstead)My Lords, I understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that, following an investigation by his officers, a man has been charged with aiding and counselling the suicide of Mrs. Crystal. The matter is now sub judice, and it would not, therefore, be appropriate for me to comment any further at this stage.
§ Lord SUDELEYMy Lords, while thanking the Minister for that Answer, may I seek the assurance of the Government that they do not intend to introduce any legislation enabling assisted suicide?—because that would lay open the door to the activities of unscrupulous persons.
§ Lord ELWYN-JONESMy Lords, a ruling having been given that this matter is sub judice, it really is not proper to press the matter in a supplementary question.
§ Lord BELSTEADMy Lords, having regard to the advice that has been given by the noble and learned Lord from the Opposition Front Bench, I think that the less said, the better.