This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/7499959.stm
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Ministers delay embryology debate | Ministers delay embryology debate |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The government has halted the debate on the controversial Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill for three months. | The government has halted the debate on the controversial Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill for three months. |
| The remaining stages were due to be debated in the Commons on Monday, but this has been delayed until the autumn. | |
| Commons leader Harriet Harman said it was a "flagship" piece of legislation but blamed scheduling difficulties. | Commons leader Harriet Harman said it was a "flagship" piece of legislation but blamed scheduling difficulties. |
| But her Tory shadow, Theresa May, said the government may have taken the decision for fear of being damaged in Glasgow East's by-election on 24 July. | But her Tory shadow, Theresa May, said the government may have taken the decision for fear of being damaged in Glasgow East's by-election on 24 July. |
| The controversial legislation covers abortion and stem cell research. | The controversial legislation covers abortion and stem cell research. |
| Catholic ministers | |
| The debate had already seen MPs voting to reject a reduction in the time limit for abortions and to scrap laws forcing clinics to consider the "need for a father" before allowing women to seek IVF treatment. | The debate had already seen MPs voting to reject a reduction in the time limit for abortions and to scrap laws forcing clinics to consider the "need for a father" before allowing women to seek IVF treatment. |
| The government, faced with the prospect of a rebellion by Roman Catholic ministers, allowed Labour MPs a free vote on the three most contentious issues during those stages, but the Labour votes were to be whipped at its third reading. | |
| In the last full week before the House rises difficult decisions have to be taken about what should be included by way of business Harriet Harman | |
| The Times had reported that Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly, a Catholic, had been given permission to spend the day of next week's vote on ministerial business in Brussels. | |
| A new series of amendments had already been put forward ahead of Monday's debate in efforts to change abortion law. | A new series of amendments had already been put forward ahead of Monday's debate in efforts to change abortion law. |
| But in the Commons at her regular Thursday session setting out the business for the week ahead, MPs were told the bill would not now be debated for at least three months. | |
| Ms Harman said: "Of course the Bill remains a flagship government bill but in the last full week before the House rises difficult decisions have to be taken about what should be included by way of business." | |
| But Ms May asked her: "Can we have an explanation from the right honourable lady as to why this bill has been pulled from next week's business, at the last possible moment? | |
| "And will she give an absolute guarantee to this House that this decision had nothing whatsover to do with the forthcoming Glasgow East by-election?" | |
| The by-election, which will be held on 24 July, was triggered by Labour MP David Marshall's resignation on health grounds. |