Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill

Debate between Lord Empey and Baroness Merron

Committee stage
Friday 20th March 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

As noble Lords will be aware, engaging with the devolved Governments is a matter for the sponsor, not the Government.

[Lord Empey (UUP)]

My Lords, we have heard talk in this debate about respecting the devolution settlement. No, we do not. It is not that long ago, for instance, that the Northern Ireland Assembly voted against abortion but got abortion, and everybody on both Front Benches voted for it. So let us not fool ourselves that we have this great commitment to devolution and respect the views of the relevant assemblies. No, we do not.

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

I note the comments that the noble Lord has made.

Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill

Debate between Lord Empey and Baroness Merron

Committee stage
Friday 30th January 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

My Lords, I will be very brief. The Government do not have any major technical or operational workability concerns on the amendments tabled by the noble Lord, Lord Sandhurst, and the noble Lord, Lord Harper, which were originally tabled, as we heard, by my noble friend Lord Hendy. To make the usual point, as noble Lords will be aware, these amendments have not had technical drafting support from officials, so further revision and corresponding amendments would be needed to provide consistent and coherent terminology throughout the Bill.

[Lord Empey (UUP)]

My Lords, I raised the point that the state could be liable in cases where the companies people worked for were nationalised or owned by the state. It seems not unreasonable that in due course the Minister could express a view on behalf of the Government, because the Government could be directly—and financially—affected by the consequences of the Bill.

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

I appreciate the point the noble Lord is making—and indeed the points that the noble Earl, Lord Howe, made. However, as your Lordships’ House knows, I correctly restrict myself to commentary on what is before us. Should the Bill include this amendment, we will then respond at the appropriate time.