WEST WORCESTERSHIRE MP Dame Harriett Baldwin has warned about manifesto-busting tactics to push through controversial legislation on assisted dying.
Dame Harriett questioned the Government on plans to progress the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill currently being considered by the House of Lords.
It follows reports that a rarely used mechanism under the Parliament Act 1911 could be used to bypass the House of Lords and pass the Bill to legalise assisted dying in England and Wales.
Dame Harriett said: “Given that this is a Private Member’s Bill and was not in the Labour manifesto, I sought reassurance from the Leader of the House that Government time would not be allocated to forcing this bill through.
“Whilst I opposed the Bill and still hold serious concerns about its provisions, I respect the House of Commons’ position to send the Bill to the House of Lords when it was voted upon by MPs last year.
“The Lords have done a vital job of scrutiny and it would be completely inappropriate to use the Parliament Act on a Private Bill.”
