L

Lord Harper (Con)

Speaking in the House of Lords on 20 March 2026

Debate

Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill

Contribution

I shall make two linked points. The noble and learned Lord set out clearly the decision that he and the sponsor of the Bill in the Commons made about how to implement it, which was for the Bill to change the criminal law for England and Wales. The alternative way, as set out in the amendment proposed by the noble Baroness, Lady Smith, is not to change the whole devolution settlement but to make a narrow change specifically for offences relating to suicide. When drafting the Bill, did the noble and learned Lord consider changing that aspect of the settlement and giving that power to change the criminal law as regards assisting suicide to the Welsh Senedd? If he did, why did he come up with his conclusion, given that it has this complexity about the constitutional settlement?

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