Clause 8
Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords]
5:15 pm
Evan Harris (Shadow Minister, Innovation, Universities and Skills; Oxford West and Abingdon, Liberal Democrat)
I thought that the hon. Member for Boston and Skegness asked interesting questions. I am particularly interested in the answer to the last one, as I, too, had that written down. Inspections would not be excluded from being contracted out under proposed new section 8C(2), and that leads to the question about whether it is necessary to identify other people who can provide inspections, albeit apparently public bodies.
My purpose in supporting clause 8 is to recognise that in this increasingly complex area of regulation, particularly with the advent of potential stem cell therapies, it is important that the HFEA is able to hand over this aspect of its work and contract it out, under negotiation and with consultation, to the HTA or the MHRA, so that there is a smooth working arrangement. The MHRA, for example, could take the lead and would obviously have to refer back on occasion to the HFEA. From the reading that I have done of some of the complexities around the European directive on cells and tissues for human application, it seems that that sort of thing will be necessary. I hope that the Minister will confirm that.
I understand and hope—again I might be wrong—that one of the other points of this is to ensure that the authority can delegate certain powers to a sub-committee, which might speed up processes. There is concern in the clinical world that it can take a very long time for the authority to make a decision. I think that without that provision, the authority has to meet as a full authority to sign off a number of things, and that potentially refers to the creation of sub-committees or committees of the authority. Again, I would be grateful if the Minister could clarify that.