Hansard

I will start where Patrick Harvie left off. Although there are disagreements across the Parliament on the principles of the bill, I think that we can coalesce behind the concern to ensure that the advertising of assisted dying services, whether in England and Wales or in Scotland, is robustly prohibited for the reasons that colleagues have set out.

The convener quoted the submission from Alzheimer Scotland, which pointed to the balance that needs to be struck. We all understand the importance of ensuring that access to factual information and advice—some may even need support to navigate the system—is available to those who need it. However, we must also guard against the risks that Jackie Baillie fairly highlighted in relation to the promotion—not just advertising—of assisted dying services.

I do not have a great deal more to add. The cabinet secretary set the scene well in explaining what this motion is and what it is not. There will be time enough for further debates on my bill and on this issue. The Health, Social Care and Sport Committee considered amendments in this area, which went some way but, as Patrick Harvie suggested, potentially slightly too far in relation to the impact on access to information, which is crucial. The Parliament will have an opportunity to return to the issue at stage 3 and will, I hope, ensure that the protections in my bill are as robust as they need to be.

I hope that the Parliament will back the LCM at decision time.