DIANE PRETTY

Early day motion 1256, tabled 8 May 2002 by John Austin (Labour). Signed by 16 members.

That this House notes with regret the decision of the European Court of Human Rights in the case of Diane Pretty, a, 43 year old women who has motor neurone disease which has left her mind as sharp as ever, having fought against the disease for the last two years and having had every possible medical treatment; notes that she is fully aware of what the future holds and that rather than die by choking or suffocation she has requested a doctor to help her die when she is no longer able to communicate with her family and friends; notes that if she were physically able to she could take her own life, which is not illegal, but that because of the terrible nature of her illness she will need assistance; believes that a doctor should be able to give her that assistance and that the law needs to be changed so that Diane and people like her can choose medical assistance to die at a time of their own choosing and not be forced to endure untold suffering for no reason; and further notes that over 10,000 members of the public signed a petition in support of a change in the law at www.justice4diane.org.uk in just one day.

Signatures by party: Labour 11, Liberal Democrat 4, Labour/Co-operative 1.