Mr. McLoughlin
: On a point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker. You were in the Chair during the closing stages of the debate when a letter from the Lord Chancellor became crucial to the House's deliberations. We were informed that the letter would be available in the Vote Office. It is still not available in the Vote Office; I have just been there to check. However, I did see people hand a copy of a letter, from a Box in the Chamber, to Government supporters and Government Whips. It was then passed along the lines. That letter is from the Lord Chancellor to Archbishop Peter Smith. It is dated 14 December. The letter back to him from Peter Smith is also dated 14 December.
The point of order for you, Mr Deputy Speaker, is whether it is right that a document that became so crucial to the debate was made available only on the Labour Benches and was not made available in the Vote Office, as we were told it would be? Is that not a gross discourtesy to the whole House?
Mr. Deputy Speaker:
Let me say to the hon. Gentleman and the whole House that it is crucial for us to conduct our affairs in the House in an orderly manner, not just for our own sakes in terms of debate and reaching the right decisions, but because people outside the House are watching our proceedings and are very concerned about the decisions that we reach.
It is vital, too, that any document relating to and important to the debate that we are having should be before Members in all parts of the House before the debate starts. Officials are in the House to advise Ministers; they are not here in any way to distribute material that is not available to every Member of the House before the debate starts. I hope that Members in all parts of the House, particularly on the Government side, will have learned lessons from today's debatewhich has not been organised as things ought to be organised hereand that this kind of thing will not happen again.
Mr. Andrew Turner
(Isle of Wight) (Con) rose
Mr. George Howarth
rose
Mr. Deputy Speaker:
Order. I will take no more points of order. I think we have dealt with the matter sufficiently for now.
Mr. Howarth:
On a point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker. This may not strictly be a point of order, but it might be helpful to the House to know that my hon. Friend the Minister is content to accept my amendment
14 Dec 2004 : Column 1583
Mr. Deputy Speaker:
Order. The hon. Gentleman is clearly starting to develop his argument all over again. This is not a point of order for the Chair. I call Mr. Andrew Turnerbut apparently he has decided not to pursue his point of order. What a blessing.
Mr. Deputy Speaker then proceeded to put forthwith the Questions necessary for the disposal of the business to be concluded at that hour.
New Clause 2
Excluded decisions (No. 2)
'(1) Nothing in this Act authorises the withdrawal of palliative care.
(2) "palliative care" includes the provision of
(a) relief of pain, suffering and discomfort;
(b) nutrition and hydration, however provided.
(3) The provisions of subsection (1) do not apply to
(a) a decision that nutrition and hydration is to be discontinued because it would be unreasonably burdensome to the person; or
(b) the power of the court to make such order concerning the continuance of life sustaining treatment as it considers to be in the best interests of a person whom it has determined to be irreversibly unconscious.'.
[Ann Winterton.]
Brought up, and read the First time.
Question put, That the clause be read a Second time:
The House divided: Ayes 198, Noes 296.
Division No. 12
[3.48 pm
AYES
Ainsworth, Peter
(E Surrey)
Allan, Richard
Amess, David
Arbuthnot, rh James
Atkinson, Peter
(Hexham)
Bacon, Richard
Baldry, Tony
Barker, Gregory
Battle, rh John
Beggs, Roy
(E Antrim)
Beith, rh A. J.
Bellingham, Henry
Benton, Joe
(Bootle)
Bercow, John
Beresford, Sir Paul
Boswell, Tim
Bottomley, Peter
(Worthing W)
Brady, Graham
Brake, Tom
(Carshalton)
Brazier, Julian
Breed, Colin
Brooke, Mrs Annette L.
Browning, Mrs Angela
Burns, Simon
Burstow, Paul
Burt, Alistair
Butterfill, Sir John
Cable, Dr. Vincent
Cameron, David
Campbell, rh Sir Menzies
(NE Fife)
Campbell, Ronnie
(Blyth V)
Cash, William
Chapman, Sir Sydney
(Chipping Barnet)
Chidgey, David
Chope, Christopher
Clappison, James
Clarke, rh Tom
(Coatbridge & Chryston)
Collins, Tim
Colman, Tony
Conway, Derek
Cormack, Sir Patrick
Cotter, Brian
Cox, Tom
(Tooting)
Crausby, David
Cummings, John
Cunningham, Jim
(Coventry S)
Curry, rh David
Curtis-Thomas, Mrs Claire
Davey, Edward
(Kingston)
Davies, rh Denzil
(Llanelli)
Davis, rh David
(Haltemprice & Howden)
Dobbin, Jim
(Heywood)
Dodds, Nigel
Dorrell, rh Stephen
Doughty, Sue
Duncan, Alan
(Rutland)
Duncan Smith, rh Iain
Evans, Nigel
Field, rh Frank
(Birkenhead)
Field, Mark
(Cities of London & Westminster)
Fisher, Mark
Flook, Adrian
Forth, rh Eric
Foster, Don
(Bath)
Gale, Roger
(N Thanet)
Galloway, George
Garnier, Edward
George, Andrew
(St. Ives)
Gibb, Nick
(Bognor Regis)
Gidley, Sandra
Gillan, Mrs Cheryl
Goodman, Paul
Gray, James
(N Wilts)
Grayling, Chris
Green, Damian
(Ashford)
Green, Matthew
(Ludlow)
Grieve, Dominic
Gummer, rh John
Hague, rh William
Hammond, Philip
Hancock, Mike
Harvey, Nick
Hawkins, Nick
Hayes, John
(S Holland)
Heald, Oliver
Heath, David
Heathcoat-Amory, rh David
Hendry, Charles
Hermon, Lady
Hoban, Mark
(Fareham)
Hoey, Kate
(Vauxhall)
Horam, John
(Orpington)
Howard, rh Michael
Howarth, Gerald
(Aldershot)
Hoyle, Lindsay
Hughes, Simon
(Southwark N)
Hunter, Andrew
Iddon, Dr. Brian
Johnson, Boris
(Henley)
Jones, Helen
(Warrington N)
Keetch, Paul
Kennedy, rh Charles
(Ross Skye & Inverness)
Key, Robert
(Salisbury)
Kilfoyle, Peter
King, Andy
(Rugby)
Kirkbride, Miss Julie
Kirkwood, Sir Archy
Knight, rh Greg
(E Yorkshire)
Laing, Mrs Eleanor
Lait, Mrs Jacqui
Lamb, Norman
Leigh, Edward
Letwin, rh Oliver
Lewis, Dr. Julian
(New Forest E)
Liddell-Grainger, Ian
Lidington, David
Luff, Peter
(M-Worcs)
Lyons, John
(Strathkelvin)
MacDonald, Calum
McIntosh, Miss Anne
Mackay, rh Andrew
Mackinlay, Andrew
Maclean, rh David
McLoughlin, Patrick
Malins, Humfrey
Mallon, Seamus
Mates, Michael
Maude, rh Francis
Mawhinney, rh Sir Brian
Mercer, Patrick
Moore, Michael
Moss, Malcolm
Mudie, George
Murrison, Dr. Andrew
O'Brien, Stephen
(Eddisbury)
O'Hara, Edward
Osborne, George
(Tatton)
Page, Richard
Paisley, Rev. Ian
Paterson, Owen
Pope, Greg
(Hyndburn)
Portillo, rh Michael
Price, Adam
(E Carmarthen & Dinefwr)
Prisk, Mark
(Hertford)
Pugh, Dr. John
Redwood, rh John
Reid, Alan
(Argyll & Bute)
Rendel, David
Robathan, Andrew
Robertson, Hugh
(Faversham & M-Kent)
Robinson, Peter
(Belfast E)
Rosindell, Andrew
Roy, Frank
(Motherwell)
Russell, Bob
(Colchester)
Sanders, Adrian
Sayeed, Jonathan
Selous, Andrew
Shephard, rh Mrs Gillian
Shepherd, Richard
Simpson, Keith
(M-Norfolk)
Singh, Marsha
Smith, Geraldine
(Morecambe & Lunesdale)
Smith, Sir Robert
(W Ab'd'ns & Kincardine)
Spelman, Mrs Caroline
Spicer, Sir Michael
Spink, Bob
(Castle Point)
Stanley, rh Sir John
Steen, Anthony
Streeter, Gary
Stunell, Andrew
Swayne, Desmond
Tapsell, Sir Peter
Taylor, David
(NW Leics)
Taylor, Matthew
(Truro)
Taylor, Dr. Richard
(Wyre F)
Taylor, Sir Teddy
Teather, Sarah
Thurso, John
Turner, Andrew
(Isle of Wight)
Tyler, Paul
(N Cornwall)
Walter, Robert
Wareing, Robert N.
Waterson, Nigel
Watkinson, Angela
Webb, Steve
(Northavon)
Whittingdale, John
Widdecombe, rh Miss Ann
Wiggin, Bill
Wilkinson, John
Willetts, David
Williams, Hywel
(Caernarfon)
Williams, Roger
(Brecon)
Willis, Phil
Wilshire, David
Winterton, Sir Nicholas
(Macclesfield)
Wray, James
(Glasgow Baillieston)
Young, rh Sir George
Younger-Ross, Richard
Tellers for the Ayes:
Ann Winterton and
Mr. Kerry Pollard
NOES
Abbott, Ms Diane
Ainsworth, Bob
(Cov'try NE)
Alexander, Douglas
Allen, Graham
Anderson, rh Donald
(Swansea E)
Anderson, Janet
(Rossendale & Darwen)
Armstrong, rh Ms Hilary
Atherton, Ms Candy
Atkins, Charlotte
Bailey, Adrian
Baird, Vera
Barnes, Harry
Barrett, John
Barron, rh Kevin
Bayley, Hugh
Beard, Nigel
Begg, Miss Anne
Bell, Sir Stuart
Bennett, Andrew
Berry, Roger
Betts, Clive
Blackman, Liz
Blears, Ms Hazel
Blizzard, Bob
Blunt, Crispin
Borrow, David
Bradley, Peter
(The Wrekin)
Bradshaw, Ben
Brennan, Kevin
Brown, Russell
(Dumfries)
Browne, Desmond
Bryant, Chris
Buck, Ms Karen
Burden, Richard
Burnham, Andy
Byrne, Liam
(B'ham Hodge H)
Caborn, rh Richard
Cairns, David
Calton, Mrs Patsy
Campbell, Mrs Anne
(C'bridge)
Caplin, Ivor
Caton, Martin
Cawsey, Ian
(Brigg)
Challen, Colin
Clapham, Michael
Clark, Mrs Helen
(Peterborough)
Clark, Dr. Lynda
(Edinburgh Pentlands)
Clarke, Tony
(Northampton S)
Clelland, David
Clwyd, Ann
(Cynon V)
Coaker, Vernon
Coffey, Ms Ann
Cohen, Harry
Cook, rh Robin
(Livingston)
Corston, rh Jean
Cousins, Jim
Cranston, Ross
Cruddas, Jon
Cryer, Ann
(Keighley)
Cunningham, Tony
(Workington)
Darling, rh Alistair
Davey, Valerie
(Bristol W)
David, Wayne
Davidson, Ian
Davies, Geraint
(Croydon C)
Dean, Mrs Janet
Denham, rh John
Dhanda, Parmjit
Dismore, Andrew
Donohoe, Brian H.
Doran, Frank
Dowd, Jim
(Lewisham W)
Dunwoody, Mrs Gwyneth
Eagle, Angela
(Wallasey)
Eagle, Maria
(L'pool Garston)
Efford, Clive
Ellman, Mrs Louise
Farrelly, Paul
Fitzpatrick, Jim
Fitzsimons, Mrs Lorna
Flint, Caroline
Flynn, Paul
(Newport W)
Follett, Barbara
Foster, rh Derek
Foster, Michael
(Worcester)
Foster, Michael Jabez
(Hastings & Rye)
Foulkes, rh George
Francis, Dr. Hywel
Gardiner, Barry
Gerrard, Neil
Gibson, Dr. Ian
Gilroy, Linda
Goggins, Paul
Griffiths, Jane
(Reading E)
Griffiths, Nigel
(Edinburgh S)
Griffiths, Win
(Bridgend)
Grogan, John
Hain, rh Peter
Hall, Mike
(Weaver Vale)
Hall, Patrick
(Bedford)
Hamilton, David
(Midlothian)
Hanson, David
Harman, rh Ms Harriet
Harris, Tom
(Glasgow Cathcart)
Havard, Dai
(Merthyr Tydfil & Rhymney)
Healey, John
Henderson, Ivan
(Harwich)
Hendrick, Mark
Hepburn, Stephen
Heppell, John
Hesford, Stephen
Heyes, David
Hill, rh Keith
(Streatham)
Holmes, Paul
Hoon, rh Geoffrey
Hope, Phil
(Corby)
Hopkins, Kelvin
Howarth, rh Alan
(Newport E)
Howarth, George
(Knowsley N & Sefton E)
Howells, Dr. Kim
Hughes, Kevin
(Doncaster N)
Humble, Mrs Joan
Hutton, rh John
Illsley, Eric
Ingram, rh Adam
Irranca-Davies, Huw
Jackson, Glenda
(Hampstead & Highgate)
Jackson, Helen
(Hillsborough)
Jackson, Robert
(Wantage)
Jamieson, David
Jenkins, Brian
Johnson, rh Alan
(Hull W)
Johnson, Miss Melanie
(Welwyn Hatfield)
Jones, Kevan
(N Durham)
Jones, Lynne
(Selly Oak)
Jones, Martyn
(Clwyd S)
Jowell, rh Tessa
Keen, Alan
(Feltham)
Kemp, Fraser
Kennedy, rh Jane
(Wavertree)
Khabra, Piara S.
Kidney, David
Knight, Jim
(S Dorset)
Kumar, Dr. Ashok
Ladyman, Dr. Stephen
Lammy, David
Laxton, Bob
(Derby N)
Lazarowicz, Mark
Lepper, David
Leslie, Christopher
Levitt, Tom
(High Peak)
Lewis, Ivan
(Bury S)
Linton, Martin
Lloyd, Tony
(Manchester C)
Love, Andrew
Lucas, Ian
(Wrexham)
Luke, Iain
(Dundee E)
McAvoy, rh Thomas
McCafferty, Chris
McDonagh, Siobhain
McDonnell, John
MacDougall, John
McGuire, Mrs Anne
McIsaac, Shona
McKechin, Ann
McKenna, Rosemary
McNulty, Tony
MacShane, Denis
Mactaggart, Fiona
McWalter, Tony
McWilliam, John
Mahmood, Khalid
Mahon, Mrs Alice
Mallaber, Judy
Mann, John
(Bassetlaw)
Marsden, Gordon
(Blackpool S)
Marshall, David
(Glasgow Shettleston)
Martlew, Eric
Meacher, rh Michael
Merron, Gillian
Michael, rh Alun
Milburn, rh Alan
Miller, Andrew
Mitchell, Austin
(Gt Grimsby)
Moffatt, Laura
Mole, Chris
Moonie, Dr. Lewis
Moran, Margaret
Morgan, Julie
Morris, rh Estelle
Mountford, Kali
Mullin, Chris
Munn, Ms Meg
Murphy, Denis
(Wansbeck)
Murphy, Jim
(Eastwood)
Oaten, Mark
(Winchester)
Olner, Bill
O'Neill, Martin
Öpik, Lembit
Organ, Diana
Osborne, Sandra
(Ayr)
Owen, Albert
Pearson, Ian
Perham, Linda
Picking, Anne
Pickthall, Colin
Pike, Peter
(Burnley)
Plaskitt, James
Pond, Chris
(Gravesham)
Pound, Stephen
Prentice, Ms Bridget
(Lewisham E)
Prentice, Gordon
(Pendle)
Prescott, rh John
Primarolo, rh Dawn
Prosser, Gwyn
Purchase, Ken
Purnell, James
Quin, rh Joyce
Quinn, Lawrie
Rapson, Syd
(Portsmouth N)
Raynsford, rh Nick
Reid, rh Dr. John
(Hamilton N & Bellshill)
Robertson, John
(Glasgow Anniesland)
Robinson, Geoffrey
(Coventry NW)
Roche, Mrs Barbara
Rooney, Terry
Ross, Ernie
(Dundee W)
Ruddock, Joan
Russell, Ms Christine
(City of Chester)
Ryan, Joan
(Enfield N)
Salter, Martin
Sarwar, Mohammad
Savidge, Malcolm
Sawford, Phil
Sedgemore, Brian
Shaw, Jonathan
Sheerman, Barry
Sheridan, Jim
Shipley, Ms Debra
Short, rh Clare
Simpson, Alan
(Nottingham S)
Skinner, Dennis
Smith, rh Andrew
(Oxford E)
Smith, Angela
(Basildon)
Smith, rh Chris
(Islington S & Finsbury)
Smith, rh Jacqui
(Redditch)
Smith, John
(Glamorgan)
Smith, Llew
(Blaenau Gwent)
Soley, Clive
Southworth, Helen
Spellar, rh John
Starkey, Dr. Phyllis
Steinberg, Gerry
Stevenson, George
Stewart, David
(Inverness E & Lochaber)
Stewart, Ian
(Eccles)
Stinchcombe, Paul
Strang, rh Dr. Gavin
Straw, rh Jack
Stringer, Graham
Stuart, Ms Gisela
Sutcliffe, Gerry
Tami, Mark
(Alyn)
Taylor, rh Ann
(Dewsbury)
Thomas, Gareth
(Clwyd W)
Thomas, Gareth
(Harrow W)
Thomas, Simon
(Ceredigion)
Todd, Mark
(S Derbyshire)
Tonge, Dr. Jenny
Touhig, Don
(Islwyn)
Trickett, Jon
Truswell, Paul
Turner, Dennis
(Wolverh'ton SE)
Turner, Dr. Desmond
(Brighton Kemptown)
Turner, Neil
(Wigan)
Twigg, Derek
(Halton)
Twigg, Stephen
(Enfield)
Walley, Ms Joan
Ward, Claire
Watson, Tom
Watts, David
Whitehead, Dr. Alan
Wicks, Malcolm
Williams, rh Alan
(Swansea W)
Williams, Betty
(Conwy)
Wills, Michael
Winnick, David
Winterton, Ms Rosie
(Doncaster C)
Woodward, Shaun
Woolas, Phil
Worthington, Tony
Wright, Anthony D.
(Gt Yarmouth)
Wright, David
(Telford)
Wright, Iain
(Hartlepool)
Wright, Tony
(Cannock)
Wyatt, Derek
Tellers for the Noes:
Mr. Nick Ainger and
Paul Clark
Question accordingly negatived.
14 Dec 2004 : Column 1587
New Clause 3