McArthur responds to Neil Gray letter to committee on assisted dying

Responding to Neil Gray’s letter to Health Committee on the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill, in which he noted that both governments “have been engaging and developing proposals” in order “to resolve the legislative competence issues with the Bill”, Liam McArthur MSP said:

"I warmly welcome confirmation from the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care that, following the passing of my Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults Bill at Stage 1 in May, both the UK and Scottish governments are working together to make sure that a truly comprehensive, safe and compassionate assisted dying law can operate in Scotland.

"At the outset of this process, the Presiding Officer certified that the Scottish Parliament has the powers to pass the bill but I have always been clear that some additional measures would be required to be put in place in order for the law to work as intended. As the Scottish Parliament has passed the general principles of my bill, this joint work to put those measures in place is certainly timely as we now increase our focus on safe and successful implementation."