Campaigners ask for extra time to consider Assisted Suicide Bill

Supporters of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, introduced by MP Kim Leadbeater in the House of Commons, have asked for extra time to be given for consideration of the Bill. The resolution, brought by Lord Falconer, requests that “in order to allow the House to complete its scrutiny of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill and return it to the Commons in reasonable time before the end of the current parliamentary session, further time should be provided for consideration of the Bill.”

The legislation was introduced by MP Kim Leadbeater and passed the House of Commons in June last year, moving on to consideration by the House of Lords. Because it was drafted as a Private Members Bill it has a strict deadline to pass all the parliamentary stages before the King’s Speech, which has been scheduled for early May, in order to become law.

The House of Lords, however, raised over 1,000 amendments to the Bill, raising concerns that there will not be enough time to complete the committee stage consideration of the amendments before the parliamentary deadline.

Peers have already been granted an extra ten days of debate in order to scrutinise the legislation. However, the sheer number of amendments mean there is still uncertainty that the Lords will finish their discussions in time. Supporters of the Bill have claimed that opponents have used the amendments as delaying tactics, but the legislation endangers vulnerable people and needs full and detailed scrutiny.

Lord Falconer’s motion asks for further time to finish deliberations, which would likely involve peers starting early or staying late for the debates which are scheduled for Fridays. This has concerns for Jewish peers who would begin their Sabbath observations at sunset on Friday. There are also worries about transport which would affect disabled peers such as Lord Shinkwin.

If the motion to give more time is passed, peers will then enter into private negotiations about how and when this time would be given. A final decision would need to be agreed by the House before it can take effect.