Assisted Death

EDM number 783 in 2002-03, proposed by James Plaskitt on 26/02/2003.

That this House notes that the House of Lords' decision in the case of Pretty makes it clear that in accordance with section 2(4) of the Suicide Act 1961 it lies with the Director of Public Prosecutions to decide which cases he believes should or should not be prosecuted; further notes that, in particular, Lord Hope found that the DPP is entitled to form and publish a policy as to the criteria he will apply when exercising his discretion under section 2(4) of the Act; and calls upon the Government to ensure this policy is published as a matter of urgency, so families set to travel abroad to help their terminally ill relatives receive an assisted death can regulate their conduct with reference to the criminal law.

This motion has been signed by a total of 38 MPs, 2 of these signatures have been withdrawn.