HUMAN FERTILISATION AND EMBRYOLOGY AUTHORITY

Early day motion 395A1, tabled 18 December 2002 by Bob Spink (Conservative). Signed by 21 members.

leave out from 'House' to end and add, 'in the light of evidence given to the Science and Technology Committee by Professor Austin Smith that the HFEA is "frustrating to deal with, inefficient and without adequate specialist knowledge", evidence given to that Committee by Dame Anne McLaren that "the HFEA seems to have a wider sphere of responsibility with every year that passes" and the Science and Technology Committee's own conclusion that "Parliament does not need protecting and democracy is not served by unelected quangos (the HFEA) taking decisions on behalf of Parliament", deplores the additional public money given by the Government to the HFEA; and calls on the Government to review in a transparent and democratic manner the purpose, scope and funding of the HFEA.'.

Signatures by party: Conservative 11, DUP 4, UUP 3, Independent Conservative 1, Labour 1, Labour/Co-operative 1.