Orders of the Day — Mental Capacity Bill

Part of the debate – in the House of Commons at 7:42 pm on 11 October 2004.

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Photo of Edward Leigh Edward Leigh Chair, Public Accounts Committee, Chair, Public Accounts Committee 7:42, 11 October 2004

I am about to finish.

It is right to say that a fundamental duty should be placed on doctors. There may come a point where it is right and proper not to go piling on more and more medical treatment, but that should never extend to withholding the basic right to life, which is food and fluid. If we pass the Bill in its present form, I believe—despite the assurances of the Minister—that that will become increasingly common. I sincerely hope that we will vote on the Bill and I will personally vote against it.