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Ministers delay embryology debate Ministers delay embryology debate
(about 3 hours 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. The remaining stages were due to be discussed in the Commons on Monday, but have now 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 remained a "flagship" bill and 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, suggested the debate was delayed over fears Labour would be damaged in the Glasgow East by-election on 24 July.
The controversial legislation covers abortion and stem cell research.The controversial legislation covers abortion and stem cell research.
Catholic ministersCatholic 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. 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 the bill's 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 HarmanIn 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.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. But in the Commons at her regular Thursday session setting out the business for the week ahead, Ms Harman told MPs that 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." 'Last moment'
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? Ms May said Health secretary Alan Johnson had described it as a "flagship government bill" and asked: "Can we have an explanation from the Rt Hon 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?" "And will she give an absolute guarantee to this House that this decision had nothing whatsoever to do with the forthcoming Glasgow East by-election?"
Later Nadine Dorries, the Conservative MP who has led calls to reduce the time limit for abortions, also said she believed it was postponed to avoid alienating large numbers of Catholic voters in the constituency.
But Ms Harman said it had been postponed to allow more time for debate.
She told MPs: "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."
'Losing control'
For the Liberal Democrats Simon Hughes said it looked "from the outside as if it is the government losing control of its business management".
He called for a promise that MPs would have two days to debate the bill in order to do "justice to the issues".
Ms Harman said she could not "guarantee" two days of debate but would try to ensure the discussion took place on a day that was not "carved out" by hour-long statements.
"What would be good is to look for a date in the autumn that does not involve other business such as oral statements which we are committed to do before the House rises," she said.
Liberal Democrat MP Evan Harris and former Labour Health Secretary Frank Dobson, who had put down amendments making changes to abortion law, have welcomed the delay.
The by-election, which will be held on 24 July, was triggered by Labour MP David Marshall's resignation on health grounds.The by-election, which will be held on 24 July, was triggered by Labour MP David Marshall's resignation on health grounds.