§ Sir Andrew BowdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will arrange for the draft convention for the protection of human rights and dignity of the human being with regard to the application of biology and medicine to he amended in response to opinion No. 184 of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe; when she expects the draft convention to he opened for signature; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. BowisThe United Kingdom Government will take account of the Parliamentary Assembly's opinion in considering the current draft convention. No date has as yet been agreed for the convention to be signed.
The Government share with the Governments of other member states a commitment to the protection of human rights and dignity.
§ Mr. BattleTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what is her Department's policy towards the draft convention for the protection of human rights and dignity of the human being with regard to the application of biology and medicine; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. BowisMy Department will continue its involvement in the Council of Europe's Steering Committee on Bioethics, which is drawing up a draft convention for the protection of human rights and dignity of the human being with regard to the application of biology and medicine for consideration by the Council of Ministers. This involvement will reflect the United Kingdom Government's firm commitment to the protection of human rights.