DEBATE ON MODERNISATION OF THE SUICIDE ACT 1961

Early day motion 230, tabled 10 December 2008 by David Winnick (Labour). Signed by 107 members.

That this House expresses concern that some terminally ill adults end their suffering by travelling abroad to die, committing suicide, asking a loved one for assistance to die, or are illegally assisted to die by their doctor; notes that the Suicide Act 1961 aims to protect vulnerable people by prohibiting complicity in suicide; welcomes the Government's plans to modernise the law via the Coroners and Justice Bill to make it explicitly clear that this prohibition applies to the internet; further notes that there are concerns that the Suicide Act 1961 is not fit for purpose; and calls for a full debate on whether the law should be updated sufficiently to protect vulnerable people whilst distinguishing between assisting suicide and assisting the death of a mentally competent terminally ill adult.

Signatures by party: Labour 64, Liberal Democrat 35, Conservative 6, Plaid Cymru 2.