Letters to the Editor

Abstract

Sir Á/ We appreciate the opportunity to reply to Lord Joffe's letter of 24 October. Lord Joffe accuses us (particularly I.F.) of hypocrisy Á/ of claiming to have approached his last bill with an open mind, yet opposing it from the start. It is fair to say that most members of the select committee began the inquiry with preconceptions of their own, but most were prepared to listen to the evidence and accept that such views would be modified. I.F. sincerely anticipated being persuaded but was not; there is no hypocrisy in that. V.W. was ambivalent and C.I. favoured euthanasia before reading the evidence presented to the select committee. Evidence may have emerged that Lord Joffe did not like, but it does not mean such information is any less valid than that which supports his views.