HC Deb 11 May 1999 vol 331 c135W
Dr. Iddon

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what data he has collated on cases in which medical treatment has been given to a patient with the deliberate intention of hastening death.[83394]

Ms Jowell

Medical treatment given to a patient with the primary purpose of hastening death 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.

Information on such cases is not available centrally.