END-OF-LIFE DECISION-MAKING

Early day motion 1670, tabled 10 September 2003 by James Plaskitt (Labour). Signed by 32 members.

That this House welcomes the Quality of Mercy report issued by the Voluntary Euthanasia Society; notes with concern the findings that 30 per cent. of those who assist in someone else's death in the United Kingdom go on to commit suicide; notes that there is a wide disparity between the penalties laid out in law and the number of prosecutions and sentences handed down; is concerned that unlike many other countries no formal research has been carried out into end-of-life decision-making in the United Kingdom; notes that members of the Council of Europe and the European Parliament have recently proposed that this issue should be researched and discussed in greater detail; and calls on the Government to carry out research into this issue as a matter of urgency.

Signatures by party: Labour 20, Liberal Democrat 6, Conservative 2, Labour/Co-operative 2, Plaid Cymru 1, Scottish National Party 1.