"Peers have been given an extra 10 days to scrutinise the assisted dying bill, after a record number of amendments prompted concerns it would run out of time to be passed into law. The bill was backed by MPs in a historic vote in June and is now in its final stages in the House of Lords, where peers must agree the wording of the legislation for the bill to become law."
"However, peers had managed to discuss fewer than 30 of the more than 1,000 amendments lodged after two of the four days reserved for committee stage, when the bill is scrutinised line-by-line. With only two more sessions scheduled before the end of the year, Childline founder Dame Esther Rantzen, who is terminally ill with cancer, last week warned peers not to "sabotage democracy"."
"Approval for the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill would need to be approved by both the Commons and the Lords before spring when the current session of Parliament ends. If passed, it would allow terminally ill adults in England and Wales with fewer than six months to live to apply for an assisted death, subject to approval by two doctors and a panel featuring a social worker, senior legal figure and psychiatrist."
MPs backed the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill in June and it is now in the House of Lords, where peers must agree the wording for it to become law. More than 1,000 amendments were lodged, prompting concerns the bill could run out of time. Peers had discussed fewer than 30 amendments after two of four committee days, slowing progress and raising fears opponents are using delaying tactics. The bill would allow terminally ill adults in England and Wales with under six months to seek assisted death, subject to two doctors' approval and a panel review. Critics say significant redrafting is needed to protect vulnerable people. Ten extra days have been allocated for scrutiny.
Read at www.bbc.com
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