HL Deb 16 July 2003 vol 651 c138WA
Lord Alton of Liverpool

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How they reconcile their opposition to the legalisation of euthanasia with their decision to adopt a neutral position on the Patient (Assisted Dying) Bill. [HL3897]

Lord Warner

The Government are aware of a wide range of views on the subject of euthanasia, ranging from those for whom any form of euthanasia is abhorrent to those who believe that there is a need to allow assisted suicide and euthanasia in very limited and carefully regulated situations in which traditional palliative care is unable to bring relief to self-selected individuals. The Government have no plans to change the current law in this area but will listen carefully to the public debates.