Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill

Debate between Baroness Freeman of Steventon and Lord Falconer of Thoroton

Committee stage
Friday 27th February 2026 Lords Chamber

[Lord Falconer of Thoroton (Lab)]

The nature of the appointment is that it is an appointment by the Prime Minister. He is politically accountable for the appointment. The assisted dying commissioner, like so many other appointments made by a Minister, has legal duties, but, if you are looking for political accountability, it is the person who is responsible for his or her appointment. That is the way that public appointments operate.

[Baroness Freeman of Steventon (CB)]

I am sorry, but the noble and learned Lord has not addressed Amendment 144A.

[Lord Falconer of Thoroton (Lab)]

I apologise. The noble Baroness, Lady Freeman, emphasised in her Amendment 144A the importance of providing impersonalised information and assistance in relation to reaching a structured decision. She speaks from considerable experience, and I express my gratitude to her for talking to me about it and providing me with real assistance.

That would have to be dealt with by codes of practice issued by the Secretary of State under Clause 39. If there were problems—for example, the codes of practice were thought not to be adequate or were giving rise to problems—it would be for the assisted dying commissioner, under Clause 49(1), to report or indicate that something was wrong. The points the noble Baroness makes are important and I apologise for not dealing with them.