ORAL EVIDENCE TAKEN BY THE JOINT COMMITTEE ON THE DRAFT HUMAN TISSUE AND EMBRYOS BILL

Early day motion 1774, tabled 26 June 2007 by Paul Rowen (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 35 members.

That this House notes with consternation that the Joint Committee on the Draft Human Tissue and Embryos Bill has significantly truncated the evidence taking process by inviting 19 organisations, the majority of whom have expressed criticism of provisions of the Bill, to an attenuated one and a half hour session; contrasts this derisory amount of time given to thoughtful scientific, ethical, philosophical and religious opponents of this Bill with the two hours given to four journalists at an evidence session in the previous week; and believes that this attempt to rush through legislation which includes provision for animal-human hybrid embryos, further destructive experimentation on human embryos and state-sponsored fatherlessness will diminish further the reputation of Parliament and undermine confidence in the legislative process.

Signatures by party: Conservative 14, Labour 10, Liberal Democrat 5, DUP 3, Social Democratic and Labour Party 2, Independent 1.