Clause 20
Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords]
3:15 pm
Mark Simmonds (Shadow Minister, Health; Boston and Skegness, Conservative)
I beg to move amendment No. 146, in clause 20, page 15, line 38, at end insert—
‘(2A) No more than four consecutive suspensions under subsection (1) can be granted, totalling a maximum period of twelve months.’.
The amendment relates to the number of consecutive suspensions that the HFEA may allow. Of course it is right that the HFEA should have the power to suspend a licence quickly and efficiently if it has reasonable grounds to believe that the terms of the licence might be broken. It also has the power to renew such a suspension indefinitely.
The amendment will either place an upper restriction on the number of times that a suspension may be renewed to a period of up to one year or establish why that is not acceptable to the Government. Clearly, a suspension for even a short period could be damaging to a business or research project that had a licence up to that point. In my view, it is correct that a decision should be made within a year. By then, the appeal process should have been gone through, if appropriate, and the authority should have had sufficient time in which to investigate, clarify its concerns and rectify any problems.
I would like to make an additional point if I may, Mr. Gale, about the timing of the appeal procedure. How quick will it be? Will it be dealt with within the three-month period, or is that one of the main reasons why there is no limit on the number of times that a suspension may be renewed? Clearly, if appeals can be heard and clarified expeditiously, that will benefit the authority and those who previously had a fully operational, licensed business or research facility.