The Earl of Effingham (Con)

My Lords, before I speak to the substance of the amendments in this group, I pay tribute to the noble Baronesses, Lady Nicholson, Lady Berridge, Lady Fraser of Craigmaddie, Lady Grey-Thompson, Lady Hollins and Lady O’Loan, and the right reverend Prelate the Bishop of Newcastle. They have all stood up for a particularly vulnerable group of people, and they are absolutely right to do so. I am sure that the noble and learned Lord, Lord Falconer, is listening most carefully to their arguments. Individuals with speech, language and hearing difficulties are particularly vulnerable, and it is imperative that they fully understand the process, their rights and the terms of the Bill before they can access the provisions made within it. My noble friend Lord Blencathra said that we need to “really, truly know” that an individual understands what they are doing, and the noble Baroness, Lady O’Loan, used the phrase “crystal clear”. They are both absolutely right. Surely how society cares for the most vulnerable of its citizens is an unmovable benchmark. Society must protect people with communication difficulties. The noble Baroness, Lady Berridge, specifically questioned the Government, and His Majesty’s Loyal Opposition believe that it is fair and reasonable to ask the Minister what specific work officials and Ministers have undertaken to establish the core risks posed by the Bill to those with hearing, speech and language impediments. In the view of His Majesty’s Government, how effective are the safeguards currently in place? Can the Bill be improved from a neutral perspective of workability to ensure that no one who faces the challenges we have discussed in this group ends their life without being given the obvious support that they need to fully understand the life-changing decision on which they are embarking? As the noble Lord, Lord Winston, referenced in the previous group, during the course of the Bill, noble Lords have debated detailed provisions and addressed complex moral issues with a laser focus. However, the question at hand is not a complex one. Those who are not able to understand the situation without proper support must be provided that support if they are to take the decision to end their life. Surely that is non-negotiable. The noble Lord, Lord Shinkwin, said that we have to think differently and challenged the noble and learned Lord, Lord Falconer, to lead by example. The right reverend Prelate the Bishop of Southwark took the words out of my mouth when he said that he remains hopeful that the noble and learned Lord will agree with this line of thought and commit to engaging collaboratively with all noble Lords whose amendments in this group aim to implement the right and appropriate protections for this vulnerable body of individuals.