(Except clauses 4, 11, 14 and 23, schedule 2, and any new clauses or new schedules relating to the termination of pregnancy by registered medical practitioners)
Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords]
10:30 am
Evan Harris (Shadow Minister, Innovation, Universities and Skills; Oxford West and Abingdon, Liberal Democrat)
I join those who have already spoken in welcoming you to the Chair, Mr. Gale. It has been about 18 months since I last served on a Public Bill Committee, but that was under your chairmanship and I, at least, had a good time, even if I cannot speak for you.
I echo the comments that have been made about the scrutiny that has been undertaken. The Government must be commended for issuing a consultation paper, a White Paper and a draft Bill. Throughout that process they made a number of changes, following the scrutiny by the Science and Technology Committee, which was initiated under the chairmanship of the hon. Member for Norwich, North, who chaired the big inquiry of 2005. I pay tribute to his work and that of the hon. Members for Bolton, South-East, for Salisbury and for Brighton, Kemptown, who are all veterans of that Committee and subsequent inquiries. While there was not always unanimity on that Committee, it is the case that in the first inquiry, all of us present who served on that Committee took a common view and we have lasted the course by seeing it through to this stage.
As the hon. Member for Boston and Skegness said, there will be free votes on this side of the Committee. Although the Liberal Democrats generally have policies in support of scientific progress in this area, there are different views from mine, as is exemplified by my hon. Friend the Member for Southport, who will seek to catch your eye, Mr. Gale, or kick me when he disagrees with anything.