It is clear that the Bill needs better drafting. As has been pointed out, it is my maiden Bill. Perhaps I may say to the right reverend Prelate the Bishop of Oxford that we must not lay too much emphasis on written consent. It is not infallible. Indeed, it is only a snapshot.
People can forget that they have given their written consent.
Gametes can still be used with written consent and without any more validity than the proper verbal consent that we are trying to introduce with this modification to the legislation. Although I do not want to introduce a new subject into the debate, I should say briefly that the benefits are not only to childless women, but to women who have had one child by a living father and who may want a second child to complete the family. I can advise noble Lords from my professional experience that one of the biggest problems facing my patients is that of secondary infertility. Women often feel that a one-child family is not adequate and that a second child would help that first child's rearing. That is a positive example of where another person would make the family complete and greatly augment its happiness and well being.