Speeches by Tidball.

“Yes. Dr Richards: Maybe Nancy knows the evidence on that. Talking about gaps in research, I am an anthropologist, so I am interested in the discourse and the conversations that are happening, and I think there is a lack of evidence about that. We have a lot of evidence where it is tick boxes, for example, about motivat…”

“Q This is a question for Dan Scorer. I have worked with a learning disability charity, My Life My Choice. I have done a lot of work with that charity on self-advocacy in the context of healthcare, so I am really keen to hear from you. We know there are excellent initiatives that focus on supporting people with learning…”

“Q There are two elements to my question. The first element is talking through the available evidence on how those holistic processes work in countries that have assisted dying. Secondly, we have heard a lot about choice from witnesses across the last two days, but a lot of the consideration about choice is about enabli…”

“Or real-life examples? Dr Richards: So the question is: what is the evidence on trying to find out about this interactional space where you are asking about people’s motivations? Is that right?”

“Q My question is to Dr Richards, although if Claire Williams has anything to add, it would be really helpful. We have heard evidence from overseas about the value of doctors being able to have holistic discussions about end-of-life choices under an assisted dying law. What research is there on patient experiences in th…”

“I just want to make sure that it is on the record that I have been taught by Professor Hoyano; indeed, well before I was elected, she was a colleague at work.”

“Q With respect, my question was about whether you think that, should the Bill go through Parliament, there should be some kind of body, possibly an advisory council, that disabled people in particular should be involved with. Your other point speaks to some evidence that we heard yesterday and earlier about the anchori…”

“Q Looking ahead to our next panel, are you aware of any serious concerns being expressed by disabled people about the Australian assisted dying laws and any risks they might pose to this group? It would be very helpful to hear any recommendations you have with regard to building safeguards into the law that we are scru…”

“Q Just to clarify, that word is in clause 2(3). I will ask a question of Professor Tom Shakespeare first and then, if I may, I have a follow-up of Dr Miro Griffiths. Tom, why is it so important that disabled people have a choice? I made it very clear when I voted for the Bill on Second Reading that I would only do so b…”

“Q Thank you. That is extremely helpful. Clause 2(3)(a) and 2(3)(b) cover the point that you made about those groups, stating: “For the avoidance of doubt, a person is not to be considered to be terminally ill” just by those statuses. I am very interested to hear about the implementation taskforce. I am personally keen …”

“Q The second part of my question was this. You talked very eloquently, as did Professor Tom Shakespeare this morning, about the Bill enabling choice for those who want it, particularly those who believe it would give them a more dignified death, but could you expand on how it provides that element of dignity? Dr Neerki…”

“Q This question is for Professor Tom Shakespeare and Dr Miro Griffiths. One of the amendments I am backing would establish an advisory council on the impact of the Bill on disabled people, because I am passionate that we monitor the impact on that group of people, should the Bill pass through Parliament. What structure…”

“Q This is a question for Dr Neerkin. That was extremely helpful. We know that Tōtara hospice in New Zealand—one of the largest hospices there—has said that it does not think that assisted dying and palliative care are counter to each other, and that a system can work where they are running side by side. Can you touch o…”

“Q Dr Graham, thank you for your written evidence, which was very helpful and stated your view that the strength of the clauses in the Bill make it compatible with the European convention on human rights in relation to article 2 on the right to life and article 14 on freedom from discrimination. Can you explain why you …”

“Q My next question is to Fazilet Hadi and Baroness Falkner. First, I am passionate about ensuring that the Bill creates the opportunity to hear the voices of disabled people in monitoring the impact of its implementation, should it be passed by Parliament, and the treatment of disabled people in the NHS as a result. Wh…”

“Q Professor Ranger, may I pick up on the points that Glyn Berry made about the different circumstances in which patients find themselves? The barriers to healthcare as a result of health inequalities, access to education and disability are well documented. How could your members help to remove the barriers for such gro…”

“I note that Laura Hoyano, who is giving evidence on Thursday, is a domestic abuse barrister. She has also been involved in inquiries on child sexual abuse, and has a great range of experience in that area. She will bring that to the table as a practising barrister working closely on such cases.”

“I, too, support my hon. Friend the Member for Spen Valley and in particular I want to highlight the helpful addition of Kamran Mallick of Disability Rights UK. That augments an already comprehensive list of expert disabled people, which includes: Professor Tom Shakespeare, an internationally renowned disability rights …”

“Q I have a question for Sir Max Hill and Alex Ruck Keene. Your insight on clause 12 has been helpful. What procedures would you recommend be adopted for testing and, if need be, challenging the evidence as part of an evidentiary process linked to the panel that you set out? Alex Ruck Keene: This is, for the moment, pre…”

“Q You have helpfully acknowledged the link that we need to make on coercion to strengthen this, but on the other two elements—dishonesty and pressure—is there anything else that we need to look to in order to make this more robust? Sir Max Hill: “Dishonesty” is a term of art in common use, but it is also a term of stat…”