HC Deb 23 July 1998 vol 316 cc636-7W
Mr. Waterson

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of allegations of involuntary euthanasia by(a) hospital staff and (b) general practitioners; and if he will make a statement. [51904]

Ms Jowell

Euthanasia is illegal. Anyone alleged to have undertaken such action would be open to a charge of murder or manslaughter.

It is the responsibility of the police to decide whether to bring charges in individual cases and for the Crown Prosecution Service to decide whether a prosecution should proceed.

We have no centrally available information on investigations into such allegations.