Parishes of Our Lady of the Assumption, Stainforth
and Ss Joseph and Nicholas, Moorends

Society for the Protection of Unborn Children

SPUC’s campaign against draft Mental Incapacity Bill (MIB)


Action on the Mental Capacity Bill

17 December 2004

Dear supporters,

(1) LOBBY LORDS TO OPPOSE MENTAL CAPACITY BILL

As we detailed in our previous campaign alert, the Mental Capacity
Bill was passed unamended by the House of Commons last Tuesday by 354
votes to 118, and the Bill now goes for debate in the House of Lords
on 10th January. As in the House of Commons, the first debate on the
Bill in the House of Lords will be at Second Reading. Second Reading
is a debate on a Bill as a whole - no amendments to the Bill may be
tabled. For SPUC's response to the widely-publicised controversy in
the House of Commons regarding proposed amendments, please read our
previous campaign alert at
http://www.spuc.org.uk/lobbying/alerts/december14

10th January is the first day the House of Lords comes back from the
Christmas recess. It is therefore vital that as many Lords as possible
are contacted before the House of Lords rises for the Christmas recess
next Tuesday (21st December), or failing that, over the Christmas/New
Year recess ending 10th January.

Please email and/or write urgently to as many members of the House of
Lords as you can, asking them to oppose the Mental Capacity Bill at
Second Reading because the Bill will enshrine in law euthanasia by
neglect, by allowing or in some cases even forcing doctors to deny
ordinary medical treatment and tube-delivered food and water from
vulnerable patients. For more information about the Bill, a link to
our Mental Capacity Bill campaign page can be found at
http://www.spuc.org.uk/lobbying/mcb

Although we particularly recommend that you write to any Lords with
whom you may have a connection, please email and/or write as many
Lords as you can. A list of Lords with parliamentary email addresses
can be found at http://www.spuc.org.uk/lobbying/mcb All Lords can also
be written to by post at the House of Lords, London SW1A 0PW. A link
to the list of all Lords can also be found at
http://www.spuc.org.uk/lobbying/mcb All male peers (except Dukes and
Archbishops) should be addressed as "My Lord", all female peers simply
as "Dear Lady [surname]". Dukes and Archbishops should be addressed as
"Your Grace".

(2) CHECK HOW YOUR MP VOTED AND WRITE TO HIM/HER

Please check how your MP voted in the final vote on the Mental
Capacity Bill at Third Reading. A link to the voting division list
can be found at http://www.spuc.org.uk/lobbying/mcb (If you do not
know the name of your MP, please visit www.locata.co.uk/commons )

Then, please write to your MP at the House of Commons, London SW1A
0AA, according to how he/she voted:

If your MP voted "aye", please express your objection that he/she
voted to enshrine in law euthanasia by neglect.

If your MP voted "no", please express your thanks that he/she voted
against euthanasia by neglect.

If your MP did not vote, please express your disappointment that
he/she did not oppose euthanasia by neglect.

For more information about the Bill, a link to our Mental Capacity
Bill campaign page can be found at http://www.spuc.org.uk/lobbying/mcb

 Let me take this opportunity to thank you for all the support that you
have given to our campaigns this year and to wish you and your family
a happy Christmas.

Yours sincerely,

John Smeaton
National Director
SPUC
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