HAVE A HEART ON VALENTINES DAY CAMPAIGN

Early day motion 343, tabled 13 February 2001 by Evan Harris (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 183 members.

That this House notes that on Valentine's Day many MPs will receive hearts and flowers but for many constituents the gift of a heart or kidney could be a lifesaver; hopes that the understandable anger and concern generated by reports of unauthorised organ retention does not have an adverse impact on the entirely separate issue of organ donation; notes that while over 6,000 people are on the waiting list for a transplant, only 14 per cent. of people are registered to donate their organs; regrets that the numbers waiting for a transplant increased by 55 per cent. over 10 years, with 5 per cent. fewer transplants in 1999 than in 1990, resulting in a mounting number of deaths each year as fewer organs become available; and calls on the Government to instigate a radical review of the organ donation system as a matter or urgency to ensure that this country has the most effective way of regulating and organising organ donation.

Signatures by party: Labour 118, Liberal Democrat 30, Conservative 16, Labour/Co-operative 9, Plaid Cymru 3, Scottish National Party 3, UUP 3, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1.