Tony Colman MP updates us on some controversial bills

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17th November 2004

There have been some controversial and interesting bills going through parliament in the last couple of weeks and I would like to update you on my views and how I voted:

Mental capacity bill

I have had much contact with constituents on this issue. I do support the concept of the Bill in general, but like those constituents who have written to me I have concerns over the possibility of euthanasia by omission and assisted suicide.

I decided to abstain on the second reading and will monitor the bill as it goes through the Committee and Report stage.

My position is close to the Roman Catholic Bishops. Archbishop Peter Smith, representing the Catholic Bishops� Conference of England and Wales wrote just prior to the second reading of the Bill:

�The Bill as published last month contained some very important safeguards which in our view mean that the Bill cannot now be described as a Bill introducing a permission for euthanasia which would have to be opposed for this reason. We remain concerned, however, that there are still some significant difficulties with the Bill as it stands, and that it is in need of further amendment to bolster the safeguards it now contains.�

If I am not convinced that these amendments have been addressed when the Bill returns to the House at Report Stage I will be voting against the Bill at the Third Reading.

Gambling Bill

Another controversial and interesting Bill. I am not in favour of the idea of supercasinos being introduced into the UK. However, some 90% of the Bill was concerned with updating and tightening the legislation surrounding gambling including removing slot machines from unlicensed premises such as chip shops and mini-cab offices where vulnerable people and children might be tempted to try gambling. The last legislation on gambling was in 1968 and all political parties (despite the recent headlines!) were in agreement that it needed updating. I was also reassured that local authorities will have the ability to turn down planning applications if the local community is against the idea. For this reason I did vote with the Government. I will, however, keep a close eye on the progress of the Bill and any amendments that are put forward in the Committee Stage.

Smacking children

Again an issue I know many of you feel strongly about! I voted against the Government and against smacking children. I agree with the �children are unbeatable alliance� and the NSPCC campaigns on the issue and was deeply disappointed that the Government did not allow a free vote on the issue. I know that people have differing views on the issue and it is undoubtedly a hard issue on which to legislate. However, I do think that this is one issue on which legislation can help to change cultural attitudes. Even though the Government did not move to ban smacking outright I hope that the publicity on this issue will help to raise awareness and discussion about the right and wrong ways to discipline our children and teach them right from wrong. I extracted a promise to review the situation in two years time.

Night flights

The battle against Night Flights continued this week. I attended the Council�s meeting on Night Flights and have submitted a response to the Government consultation exercise urging the Government not to ban night flights all together. This is a cross-party and no-party issue that unites all on the flight path into Heathrow.