Source · Select Committees · Health and Social Care Committee
Recommendation 6
6
Accepted
Require UK Government to prepare for legislative divergence on assisted dying in UK jurisdictions.
Recommendation
The UK Government must consider how to respond to another jurisdiction in the UK, or the Crown Dependencies, legislating to allow AD/AS, and how it may impact jurisdictions which do not allow it. Following the recommendation by the Jersey Citizens’ Assembly, it looks increasingly likely that at least one jurisdiction among the UK and Crown Dependencies will allow AD/AS in the near future and Ministers should be actively involved in discussions on how to approach the divergence in legislation. (Paragraph 68) 96 Assisted Dying/Assisted Suicide International examples
Government Response Summary
The government confirms it will discuss with devolved administrations and Crown Dependencies the practical and constitutional implications for England and Wales should any assisted dying/suicide legislation be enacted elsewhere.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The criminal law is a devolved matter in Scotland and Northern Ireland. The Crown Dependencies are not part of the UK, but are self-governing dependencies of the Crown, with their own health services, legislatures and courts of law. The UK Government works closely with the devolved administrations and the Crown Dependencies on a wide range of matters, and we will discuss with them the practical implications for England and Wales of legislation introduced to allow AD/AS and any constitutional issues that such legislation may present. Should any AD/AS legislation be enacted, we would expect the implementation period to allow time for such discussions whilst the necessary regulatory measures are put in place.