Schedule 1
Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords]
4:15 pm
Mark Simmonds (Shadow Minister, Health; Boston and Skegness, Conservative)
The hon. Gentleman is absolutely right. The purpose of a future amendment is not only to ensure that such a situation does not arise, but to prevent clinicians without specialist and expert knowledge in certain subjects producing reports that often have to be corrected or reworked later. I shall deal with that when we come to the subsequent amendment.
It would also be helpful if the HFEA made public the dates of appointments so that people could see how long someone had been a member of the authority. The public should also be given assurances about the HFEA’s fresh expertise and vigour. It is clear from my discussions that if the Bill passes—as most of us on this Committee hope it will, as a result of the substantial discussions in pre-legislative scrutiny and both Houses of Parliament—the HFEA will have an even busier time, as we gradually extend the type of activities that it can license. It is therefore important that it does not atrophy—although I am not suggesting that it has—but continues to move forward with vigour, bringing in new blood as often as possible. That is the purpose of amendment No. 22.