HL Deb 15 October 2002 vol 639 cc47-8WA
Lord McColl of Dulwich

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will consult the Royal College of Surgeons of England on the proposed changes to harmonising the Human Tissues Act 1961 and the Anatomy Act 1984, as outlined in the document Human Bodies, Human Choices (July 2002). [HL5841]

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath

This document was sent to many organisations, groups and individuals, including the Royal College of Surgeons, and we look forward to receiving their response.

Lord McColl of Dulwich

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is their response to the form allowing people to choose to donate their bodies either under the Human Tissues Act 1961 or the Anatomy Act 1984, as proposed by H M Inspector of Anatomy in his letter Donation of Bodies to Medical Science of 28 April 1999. [HL5842]

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath

A consultative report,Human Bodies, Human Choices, was published by the Department of Health and the Welsh Assembly government on 10 July 2002 as part of the review of the law on the removal, retention and use of human organs and tissue. Among the issues that the review seeks to address are the legal uncertainties concerning the interrelation between the Human Tissue Act 1961 and the Anatomy Act 1984.

It was because of these uncertainties, as well as the responses from some relatives under an earlier pilot, that Ministers decided not to proceed with a combined donation form that might have allowed people to donate their bodies under either Act.

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