Conscientious Objection (Medical Activities) Bill [HL]
Debate between Baroness Thornton 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
The noble Baroness seems to be suggesting that we are attempting in some way to restrict access to the three areas of healthcare services. That is absolutely not the case. The Bill provides that and acknowledges the current responsibilities of the Government to provide a National Health Service with the services that Parliament has agreed should be provided. I want to make that clear because I am not sure the noble Baroness understands it.
Baroness Thornton
The Bill does not do that. That is what this scrutiny is about. It really does not. If the noble Baroness really wants to make progress, she needs to bring forward amendments which clarify that. She has not done so, so these amendments are about probing that and, in particular, this issue. Rather than exhorting us to say what the Bill does not do, the noble Baroness needs to examine it and take on board its unintended consequences. That is what this House exists to illustrate.
Baroness O’Loan
That is exactly what we are doing. This is a very useful debate.