HL Deb 30 June 1987 vol 488 cc239-40WA
Earl De La Warr

asked Her Majesty's Government:

If they will state their proposals for legislation on the matters raised in the Warnock Report on Human Fertilisation and Embryology.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health and Social Security (Lord Skelmersdale)

The Government are aware of the deep concern felt about these complex issues and have indicated their intention to legislate in this Parliament. In preparation for that, a consultative document was issued last December for comments by the end of June. We are now studying carefully the views we are receiving and intend to set out our conclusions about the form legislation should take in a White Paper later this year. This will include proposals for alternative clauses about the issue of research on human embryos on which we have promised the House a free vote when legislation is introduced. We will give the House an opportunity for a debate on the White Paper so that we can take full account of their Lordships' views in the drafting of legislation.