This debate pack has been compiled ahead of the debate on the availability of cancer drugs, to be held in Westminster Hall on Tuesday 20 October 2015 at 9.30am. The member in charge of the debate is Jim Shannon MP.
This Commons Library briefing provides information on the main provisions of the Access to Medical Treatments (Innovation) Bill 2015-16 and on the development of previous legislation on medical innovation (the Bill builds upon provisions in Lord Saatchi’s Medical Innovation Bill 2014-15).
This debate pack is prepared for the Westminster Hall debate on the e-petition relating to making the production, sale and use of cannabis legal on 12 October at 4.30pm.
Debate packs are produced quickly after the announcement of parliamentary business. They are intended to provide a summary or overview of the issue being debated and identify relevant briefings and useful documents, including press and parliamentary material. More detailed briefing can be prepared for MPs on request.
This note seeks to provide a summary of the role of mitochondria, mitochondrial disease and the proposed new techniques. It will also outline the investigations into these techniques that took place prior to the Government announcement; a HFEA scientific review of the safety and efficacy of methods, an ethical review of the techniques for mitochondrial replacement undertaken by the Nuffield Council on Bioethics and an HFEA public consultation. The main safety and ethical considerations associated with the introduction of these techniques into clinical practice will be discussed.
A group of 1,011 services veterans and civilians from the UK, Fiji and New Zealand have attempted to obtain a compensation hearing against the Ministry of Defence relating to alleged illnesses caused by exposure to radiation in nuclear weapons tests during the 1950s. However, in March 2012 the Supreme Court ruled against the Atomic Veterans’ case proceeding and the Government says it has no plans to pay compensation.
This note summarises the latest statistics on measles incidence and rates of immunisation. It also discusses the effect of media coverage on public confidence in the MMR triple vaccine, and compares the UK's immunisation rates with the rest of the OECD.