§ 5. Mr. WillsTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans his Department has to review the law relating to surrogacy. [3470]
§ Ms JowellAs I announced on 11 June, at columns478–79, following public concern, UK health ministers have invited a small team to carry out a review of the existing law on surrogacy. The terms of reference and membership of this review were set out in the Official Report, and are as follows:
To consider whether payments, including expenses, to surrogate mothers should continue to be allowed, and if so, on what basis;to examine whether there is a case for the regulation of surrogacy arrangements through a recognised body or bodies; and if so to advise on the scope and operation of such arrangements;in the light of the above, to advise whether changes are needed to the Surrogacy Arrangements Act 1985 and/or section 30 of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990.The review team is lead by Margaret Brazier, Professor of Law at Manchester University. The other team members are Susan Golombok, Professor of Psychology at the City University, London and Alastair Campbell, Professor of Ethics in Medicine, University of Bristol.