(5 days, 4 hours ago)
Lords ChamberI would not be able to accept the amendment as tabled because I have numerous other amendments on disability, language, BSL, different levels of interpretation and Makaton that are all important when having these conversations. Following the offer that the noble and learned Lord made to the noble Lord, Lord Shinkwin, I would be delighted to join the meeting as well, to see how the noble and learned Lord’s amendments can be improved to move further down the road. What we are trying to do is to make sure that people go into this decision-making process clearly understanding the decision they are taking.
If such a meeting were to take place, I would be delighted to ask the noble and learned Lord to consider the alternative wording I proposed when I spoke to the amendment.
(3 weeks, 5 days ago)
Lords ChamberMy Lords, I want to add a correction for the noble Lord, Lord Winston. The Royal College of Psychiatrists voted on the principle and it was a 50:50 split. The issue of this Bill is different. The college has taken the view, after a great deal of consultation, that it does not support the Bill.
My Lords, may I clarify that? I have just checked the information. My noble friend is correct in what she says, in that the support was 50:50, but the majority of respondents—64%—opposed expanding eligibility and 65% of them were not confident that consent could act as an adequate safeguard against unfree choices, such as those resulting from coercion or psychopathology.