Conscientious Objection (Medical Activities) Bill [HL]
Debate between Lord Turnberg and Baroness O'LoanFriday 23rd March 2018
(6 years, 8 months ago)
Lords ChamberRead Full debate Conscientious Objection (Medical Activities) 2017-19 View all Conscientious Objection (Medical Activities) 2017-19 Debates Read Hansard Text Amendment Paper: HL Bill 14-I Marshalled list for Committee (PDF, 75KB) - (21 Mar 2018)
Baroness O'Loan
I may have misunderstood the noble Lord, but I think that he said that the Bill would enable a doctor who will not engage with a particular process to prevent somebody else from engaging in that process. Is that what the noble Lord said? Could he explain to me why he said it, if so, so that I can understand better?
Lord Turnberg
The wording of the Bill makes sure that a doctor who has conscientious objections to a procedure has a responsibility under the Bill to prevent others being involved in such procedures, and in their training and supervision, which makes it very difficult for someone working with them to carry out such procedures.
Baroness O'Loan
Can I ask the noble Lord to refer me to the section of the Bill that does that, because it is not the intention of the Bill, and I actually do not believe that it is the effect?
Lord Turnberg
I can. Clause 1(1)(c) refers to:
“No medical practitioner with a conscientious objection to participating in … any activity … required to prepare for, support or perform termination of pregnancy”,
in this instance.