Nicholas Soames

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Nicholas Soames is the Conservative MP for Mid Sussex.

Contents 1 Homeopathy 2 Abortion 3 Faith based Adoption Agencies 4 Same-Sex Marriage 5 Libel Law Reform 6 Scientology 7 References 8 External Links

Homeopathy

Nicholas Soames signed the March 2007 Early Day Motion 1240 calling for the positive recognition of NHS homeopathic hospitals^[1].

In July 2010, writing in response to a communication from a skeptical constituent about the use of homeopathy on the NHS and the recent EDMs 284, 285, 286 and 287, and their amendments, Soames wrote:

"Thank you for your email about homeopathy on the NHS

"I am aware that there are differing views on the provisions of homeopathic remedies, with some arguing that there is not enough evidence to support their availability via the NHS, while others argue that greater access to complementary therapies in the NHS might lead to widespread benefits.Homeopathic prescription is a tiny fraction (approx. 0.001%) of the overall drugs bill of £11,378m.

"Decisions regarding treatment are made locally and issues such as safety, clinical and cost effectiveness, and the availability of qualified and regulated practitioners are taken into account by the NHS when making decisions. The various issues regarding the use of homeopathy in the NHS were all raised by the Science and Technology Committee’s recent report Evidence Check 2: Homeopathy. The Government is currently considering the report, including the issues mentioned, and will respond in due course."^[2]

Abortion

In May 2008 in the abortion amendments to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill (now Act), Nicholas Soames voted for the abortion time limit to be lowered to 20 weeks against scientific and medical consensus which is currently 24 weeks^[3]. After four separate parliamentary votes on varying time limits, the majority of MPs voted to keep the abortion time limit at 24 weeks, in keeping with scientific and medical consensus, hence no abortion amendments were added to the bill.

Faith based Adoption Agencies

In 2007, Nicholas Soames signed Early Day Motion 742 calling on the government to exclude "faith based" adoption agencies from the Equality Act to avoid such agencies being forced to consider gay couples.^[4]

Same-Sex Marriage

Mr Soames was one of a number of Conservative Party MPs to sign a December 2012 letter to the Telegraph in support of same-sex marriage. It also noted:

"We feel strongly that religious freedom must be protected. This means that religious groups should be allowed to conduct same sex marriages if they choose, but equally none should be compelled to do so."^[5][6]

Libel Law Reform

In January 2010, Nicholas Soames signed Early Day Motion 423 calling for a reform of the English libel law^[7]. The motion noted that human rights activists, scientists, writers and journalists are currently prevented from publishing, and the public prevented from reading, matters of strong public interest due to the chilling effect of the law.

Scientology

In November 2009 Soames, a grandson of Winston Churchill, objected to the use of images of Churchill and extracts from his speeches in publicity material for the Church of Scientology.^[8]

References

1. ↑ http://www.parliament.uk/edm/2006-07/1240
2. ↑ http://www.merseysideskeptics.org.uk/2010/06/call-to-action-homeopathy-early-day-motions/#comment-3942
3. ↑ http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200607/cmselect/cmsctech/1045/104502.htm
4. ↑ http://www.parliament.uk/edm/2006-07/742
5. ↑ http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/letters/9730713/Statutory-regulation-of-the-press-will-end-up-as-state-control.html
6. ↑ http://www.freedomtomarry.org.uk/content/marriage-should-available-all
7. ↑ http://www.parliament.uk/edm/2009-10/423
8. ↑ http://www.thisissussex.co.uk/MP-Soames-fights-use-grandfather-Scientology-recruitment-drive/story-12589749-detail/story.html

External Links

• http://www.nicholassoames.org.uk/
• http://www.parliament.uk/biographies/commons/nicholas-soames/25208
• http://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/?pid=10555
• http://www.publicwhip.org.uk/mp.php?id=uk.org.publicwhip/member/1860
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicholas_Soames

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