HC Deb 13 November 2000 vol 356 c566W
Mr. Kidney

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many representations he has received and from whom concerning the legality of the British Medical Association's guidelines for the withholding and withdrawal of treatment. [137041]

Yvette Cooper

The Department has received approximately 200 representations concerning the British Medical Association guidelines on Withholding and Withdrawing Life-prolonging Treatment. These include representations from a number of professional, lay and religious organisations, Members of Parliament, individuals and a petition to the Prime Minister from the organisation "Against Legalised Euthanasia—Research and Teaching". Of these representations approximately 25 per cent. raised the issue concerning the legality of the guidelines.