Lest anyone might think this is a good time to bury bad news, I understand Dame Jill Knight's Patient's Protection Bill, originally scheduled for a second reading in the House of Lords on February 12, has been postponed until this Wednesday.

This Bill aims to overturn the Bland judgement, which made it lawful to withdraw assisted nutrition and fluids from patients judged to be in a persistent vegetative state.

The abuses of this judgement have been evident from Press reports. For the peace of mind of all who might suffer from illnesses that make it difficult to make decisions, it is important Dame Knight's Bill be passed.

It proposes to make it unlawful to withhold food or fluids from a patient if the purpose of doing so is to bring about the patient's death.

Not much to ask. Perhaps Lord Bassam might like to tell us how he will vote?

-M A Stack, Hammy Close, Shoreham