HL Deb 30 June 2004 vol 663 cc263-4

3.14 p.m.

The Lord Bishop of Rochester

asked Her Majesty's Government: What benefits there will be for those undergoing in vitro fertilisation treatment, and for the children born as a result, in the proposed changes to the regulatory framework of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Lord Warner)

My Lords, the review of the Department of Health arm's-length bodies is still under way. An announcement on the implications for the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority and other bodies will be made before the summer Recess. The Government are committed to ensuring that patients will continue to receive safe, high quality, assisted reproduction treatment services. That remains a key priority.

The Lord Bishop of Rochester

My Lords, I thank the Minister for his Answer. Does he agree that the human embryo has special moral status, and that therefore the regulation of its use in treatment and in research must be kept together?

Lord Warner

My Lords, at the moment we are looking at arm's-length bodies overall. We have also announced that there will be a review of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority. We have taken no action so far that in any way suggests that we are deviating from the line suggested by the right reverend Prelate.