Comment

SCIENCE has certainly made great advances in recent years and it is this theme which has dominated the last few days in Parliament.

On Monday of this week, the Government introduced its "Human Fertilisation and Embryology" proposals, which include a great number of controversial measures.

I have been paying close attention to the debate and listening to the views of constituents who have contacted me.

It is clear that a debate on medical advancements and how they affect children, born and unborn, is long overdue.

A number of the issues that are under discussion are highly technical and complex - and, as is always the case, things are not quite as black and white as some commentators would suggest.

I believe there is a real need to remove some of the measures in the Bill which are not, I think, in the interests of children.

Specifically, the Government's proposals to remove the need to always identify a father in IVF cases.

There is ample evidence to show that involvement of a father in a child's life, where it is possible, is positive and should be encouraged, not removed.

However, there are also important measures in the Bill that could be beneficial to the many people I have met throughout the Basingstoke area who have family members who suffer from diseases, such as diabetes, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

I believe we owe it to these people to allow science to work to its best ability, within tightly defined rules, to find a way to manage their symptoms better and, hopefully, eventually find much needed cures.

IN ANOTHER debate about health last week, I was able to raise the concerns that have been expressed by a large number of residents about the problems that can be experienced when doctors prescribe drugs that have not been fully approved by the Government's watchdog, NICE.

It is not consistent with the ethos and guiding principles of the NHS that access to important medicines in this country depends on the area of the UK in which you live.

It is particularly concerning that drugs are all too often approved in Scotland before they come near to being approved in England.

This postcode lottery has to end - and this is a message that I sent loud and clear to the minister responsible on behalf of the people of north Hampshire.

TO CONTACT Maria, call her at the House of Commons on 0207 219 5749, e-mail millerm@parliament.uk or write to her at The House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA.

11:38am Wednesday 14th May 2008

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