Speeches by Francis.

“The Chair may cut you off, but I am happy for you to continue if she allows it.”

“Q I want to ask about capacity. Chloe, I think you said patients are sometimes given the drug some time before they die, so I want to understand where capacity assessments are taken and at what stage during the process. Dr Furst: Capacity assessments are taken every time a doctor sees the patient. In my state, that wou…”

“On a point of order, Mrs Harris. Yesterday, we heard evidence about the impact of the Bill on different groups with protected characteristics, including age, disability, race and sexual orientation. We heard from the EHRC, an arm’s length body of the Government, that it strongly recommends that a full impact assessment…”

“Q My question is to Dan Scorer. In the Mental Capacity Act 2005, the definition of “capacity” means that many people with a learning disability are presumed to have capacity. We have heard comments from others on the panel, and I am trying to understand whether you feel that the existing provisions in that Act would co…”

“Thank you, Professor Preston. Sorry—if you agree, Mrs Harris.”

“Q My question is to Claire Williams and follows on from Dr Opher’s question. Clause 18(9) says that once the person has self-administered the approved substance, the doctor must stay with them until they have died, or until it has been determined by the co-ordinating doctor that the procedure has failed. We know from o…”

“Q To elaborate on that point, Professor Owen, the Mental Capacity Act 2005 sets out the principles that a person must be assumed to have capacity, that a person cannot be treated as lacking capacity unless all practicable steps have been taken to support them and that a person cannot be treated as lacking capacity mere…”

“Q Ms Hadi, we heard evidence this morning that the majority of disabled people support the Bill. I would like to hear your comments on that. What analysis do you have on whether the majority of disabled people support the Bill? Baroness Falkner, based on what we have just heard, if we had had the equality impact assess…”

“Q Could I clarify whether there is also a review of keeping two clinicians in the process? We heard yesterday that that is not the case elsewhere. Dr Mewett: One has to understand that although there are some broad similarities, there are a number of differences state by state, and now the Australian Capital Territory …”

“Q Yesterday, we heard from some clinicians from the USA, who outlined how they have reviewed the scheme in practice. They said that their waiting period between the two clinician appointments has been reduced from 14 days to 48 hours, and that in some cases the second clinician has been removed and replaced by a nurse …”

“Q My question is to both Dr Mullock and Professor House. In your written evidence, you both refer to clause 18(9) and issues regarding the obligations of the doctor if the procedure either fails or if there is a long-delayed death. I accept that it is a small number, but we know from elsewhere that there are cases wher…”

“Q Alex, in paragraph 8 of your written evidence you touch on clauses 9, 15 and 18 of the Bill and the potential complications that could arise when the substance is taken. Could you expand on the concerns you have about that? Alex Ruck Keene: I should make it absolutely clear that all I am trying to do is make sure tha…”

“Q Just to clarify, is there nowhere else in the UK where we have that? I am just trying to understand, because we would need to go away and do a piece of work on whether there are enough doctors with that level of experience if we were to take on that kind of recommendation. Is there nowhere else in the medical profess…”

“Q My question is to Dr Ahmedzai. In the paper you produced you talked about specific recommendations regarding the training and experience of the doctors involved in the process. You suggested five years, for instance, and some other experience. Have you got examples elsewhere in the world where such a scheme has been …”

“Q I hear what you have said already regarding capacity. Of course, the Mental Capacity Act relies on the capacity principles. They include the presumption of capacity, the principle that a person cannot be seen as lacking capacity unless all practicable steps have been taken to support them to make a decision, and the …”

“I thank my hon. Friend for her answer. One of the biggest scandals that we saw under the last Conservative Government was Ministers giving out dodgy covid contracts to their friends and donors. Will the Minister update the House on what steps the Government are taking to ensure that there will never again be a repeat o…”

“14. What steps he is taking to reduce fraud in the public sector.”

“On a point of order, Sir Roger. Amendment (i) clashes with the sitting times on Thursday suggested by my hon. Friend the Member for Spen Valley.”

“My residents in Crayford, in the London borough of Bexley, have their services provided by one council, but in many cases, residents on the same road have their services provided by two councils—by Kent county council and Dartford borough council—which causes confusion, as the Minister said. Does he agree that the chan…”

“I thank my hon. Friend for securing the debate. In the Northumberland Heath ward in my constituency, Councillors Baljeet Gill and Wendy Perfect have been working tirelessly to support local traders who would like to introduce free parking for a very short period for the small range of independent shops in Northumberlan…”