Clause 41 - Religious relics
Human Tissue Bill
Public Bill Committees, 5 February 2004, 9:45 am
Dr Evan Harris (Oxford West & Abingdon, Liberal Democrat)
I declare an interest as an honorary associate of the National Secular Society. I have had correspondence on this matter through the National Secular Society, including from a constituent of the hon. Member for Westbury. I support what he said and ask whether it is necessary, if the Government accept his amendment, to change the title of clause 41 to ensure that people's body parts are not considered as ''religious relics'' if there is no religion associated with the activity involved. Until I saw Government amendment No. 109 and the hon. Gentleman's amendments, I thought that the clause assumed that all burials were carried out in a religious setting. In fact, a significant number are not.