Comment on the announcement of a free vote for Labour MPs on issues within the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill

12.00.00am GMT Tue 25th Mar 2008

Dr Evan Harris MP, Liberal Democrat Science spokesman, said:

"The Liberal Democrats welcome the news that their will be a free vote for Labour MPs on these issues. Although the party has - like the Labour Party - traditionally supported this research, there are a range of views in the party and we have always respected the conscience of MPs who take a different view of the status of the embryo than the approach taken in UK law since the Warnock report of the late 1980s, and we will also be having a free vote."

"I am confident that more opposition MPs will support these measures than Labour MPs opposing them and that there will be a large majority. Since I personally support embryo research I welcome that."