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Brown compromise over embryo vote Brown compromise over embryo vote
(10 minutes later)
Gordon Brown says Labour MPs will be given a free vote on controversial parts of his embryo research proposals. Gordon Brown says Labour MPs will have a free vote on three controversial parts of his embryo research proposals.
He said he thought the measures were of huge importance but that he respected the ethical issues involved for some. He said the measures were of huge importance, but added that he respected the ethical issues involved for some.
The prime minister said if those plans were backed by MPs, he expects all Labour MPs to vote in favour when there is the final vote on the whole bill. The prime minister said if the three bits are backed by MPs, he expects all Labour MPs to vote in favour when there is the final vote on the whole bill.
The PM made the compromise after warnings that a large number of Labour MPs were ready to defy the government. The PM offered the deal after warnings that some Catholic Labour MPs and cabinet ministers were ready to rebel.
The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill is designed to bring existing laws on fertility treatment and embryo research into line with scientific advances.The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill is designed to bring existing laws on fertility treatment and embryo research into line with scientific advances.
The government wants Labour MPs to support the legislation, but Catholic MPs say it is ethically wrong and unless there is a free vote, there has been speculation about a rebellion and Cabinet resignations. 'Huge importance'
The three areas where he said there would be free votes during the passage of the bill are IVF research, saviour siblings and Admix embryo. The government wants Labour MPs to support the legislation, but some MPs - including three Catholic cabinet ministers - say it is ethically wrong.
Reports suggest that unless there is a free vote they might quit the cabinet rather than vote in favour.
The three areas where Mr Brown said there would be free votes during the passage of the bill through the Commons are IVF research, saviour siblings and Admix embryos - the creation of inter-species embryos.
The Bill itself cannot be subject to a free vote because there are so many other changes we believe are necessary as part of building up the research framework in our country Gordon BrownPrime Minister
Speaking at the launch of Labour's local election campaign, Mr Brown said: "I do believe that in stem cell research we have the power in the future to treat and to cure some of the diseases that have afflicted mankind for centuries."
Embryonic stem cell research "holds the key" to advances in the treatment of Alzheimer's, Parkinson, cancer and heart disease, he said.
"I have always said that although I attach huge importance to this legislation - to save lives and helping to cure and treat diseases - we respect the consciences of every member of Parliament as they decide how to cast their vote on this," he said.
"On the three issues where, for the first time, these ethical issues are being debated in Parliament in this new way... exercising your conscience will mean for Labour Party members a free vote.
"But the bill itself cannot be subject to a free vote because there are so many other changes that I believe are necessary as part of building up the research framework of our country and, of course, creating the right ethical framework for the development of embryo research."
This means there will not be a free vote on the bill's second or third reading in the Commons.
Mr Brown said the government planned to ban so-called "designer babies" and was taking action "to ban in a large number of instances, experimentation with animal embryos".