§ 2.47 p.m.
§ Lord AlportMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question standing in my name on the Order Paper.
§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will initiate an inquiry, by Select Committee or otherwise, to consider the legal, ethical and medical aspects of euthanasia.
§ The Earl of ArranNo, my Lords.
§ Lord AlportMy Lords, I thank my noble friend for the Answer. However, is he aware that the British Medical Association has established a high-powered committee with full terms of reference to inquire into this matter in the interests of the medical profession? Might not the Government think it right that, in view of the importance of this subject, which after all is a matter of life and death, there should be a parallel inquiry in order to consider the matter from the point of view of public policy in view of the fact that it is almost inevitable that legislation will be needed eventually?
§ The Earl of ArranMy Lords, I thank my noble friend for that question. I must at the same time tell him that I am not aware of the independent body of the BMA and the inquiry it is conducting at the moment. We all have the greatest sympathy for those caring for the terminally ill or the old, but legalising euthanasia would only weaken the protection that the law gives to the ill and the aged from those who might be tempted to act for financial gain, out of malice or from other base motives. We do not believe that it would be right to legalise euthanasia.
§ Lord Jenkins of PutneyMy Lords, may I ask the noble Earl whether he has failed to note that his noble friend was not asking for what he has just said? He was asking for an inquiry. Is it not the case that many of us who understand the difficulties think that it is high time that this matter was looked into more seriously?
§ The Earl of ArranMy Lords, I am aware of the eloquence and the passion that the noble Lord, Lord Jenkins of Putney, showed in the debate of 532 November 1985 during the Second Reading of the Bill. As regards an inquiry, the Criminal Law Revision Committee reviewed the criminal law on suicide and mercy killing in its report on offences against the person published in 1980. It rejected the suggestion that euthanasia should be made lawful in certain circumstances. Your Lordships took the same view in 1985 when a Bill along those lines, which was introduced, as I said, by the noble Lord, Lord Jenkins of Putney, was refused a Second Reading. I am not aware of any developments since 1980 which necessitate a further review of the law.
§ Lord AlportMy Lords, is my noble friend aware that there has been a change of the law in Holland, and that that is one of the reasons for the medical profession promoting this inquiry? Has he seen the article in the Daily Telegraph today with regard to the discussion taking place in France? Does he not think that the influences at work on the Continent may eventually, and sooner rather than later, have an effect upon public opinion in the United Kingdom?
§ The Earl of ArranMy Lords, with respect to the Government of the Netherlands, that is their business; at the moment there are no plans for making it ours.
§ Lord MellishMy Lords, is the Minister aware that some of us—I do not know for whom I speak but I certainly speak for myself—welcome what he has said? We are delighted to know that the Government are not prepared to consider legalisation of euthanasia.
§ The Earl of ArranMy Lords, I am extremely grateful for the noble Lord's comments.
Lord Paget of NorthamptonMy Lords, I seldom disagree with my noble friend who sits behind me. Has the noble Earl considered that of all the life that God created, only to humanity did he leave the choice of whether to live or to die? The animals live because they must; we live because we choose to do so. Is it not time to consider legalistically what right we have to interfere with that decision of our Creator?
§ The Earl of ArranMy Lords, with the greatest humility, I completely understand what the noble Lord, Lord Paget of Northampton, is saying. In the circumstances, I can only repeat that Her Majesty's Government have no plans to legalise euthanasia.
§ Lord Nugent of GuildfordMy Lords, does the virtue of legalisation depend on whether the right people take it up?
§ The Earl of ArranMy Lords, I have no comment.