Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill

Debate between Baroness Blake of Leeds and Lord Deben

Committee stage
Friday 23rd January 2026 Lords Chamber

[Lord Deben (Con)]

My Lords, we have asked the Minister on several occasions to give us the information that I think the Government still need to give us: what is the cost of doing these things? The letter does not meet that. She has just said that there would be difficulties, but we want to know the cost in detail, because it is for the Government to help the Committee to make decisions. Could she please say now, and, if not now, give the undertaking that she will investigate the cost, so we know how to make a decision?

[Baroness Blake of Leeds (Lab)]

My Lords, I was just about to go on to the whole issue of funding, which many noble Lords have raised throughout this morning’s debate. The Government’s position is absolutely clear on this. Should Parliament pass the Bill, the Government would work to undertake development of the delivery model. Until the parliamentary process is complete, we are making no assumptions as to what the delivery model for an assisted dying service would be or what the role of specific departments in delivering the service would be.

--- Later in debate ---

[Baroness Blake of Leeds (Lab)]

I do not think it is extraordinary, but I am sure the noble Lord will keep expressing his point of view.

[Lord Deben (Con)]

The Government can perfectly well say that they do not have a view on this, but, for Parliament to make a decision, surely they have to tell us whether, if we made this decision, they would have to change the basic principles of the National Health Service. That is the only question that we must ask. The Government must be able to tell us whether, if we make this decision, that is inevitable.

[Baroness Blake of Leeds (Lab)]

I am sure that the noble Lord and others will find other ways of asking the same question. I refer to my earlier answer.