Sunderland and Durham MPs asked how they will vote on assisted dying bill

The proposal will be put to in Parliament this month.

It will be a free vote, meaning that MPs can vote according to their personal view, rather than on party political lines.

Labour MP Kim Leadbeater is putting forward the private members' bill, the first on the issue since 2015.

Details of the bill are yet to be finalised. However, it is likely to be similar to a House of Lords proposal, which would allow terminally ill adults to end their lives if they have six months or under to live.

Washington and Gateshead South MP Sharon Hodgson replied: "I was pleased to see this debate being bought in front of the House again, as I know there is real public interest in this issue and the debate has moved on, since we last voted on it, over nine years ago.

"This is absolutely a matter of conscience and I respect everyone's deeply held views on this subject. I know this is an incredibly emotive issue and there are also important policy considerations to address, to ensure that if there was a change to the law, sufficient protections are in place.

"I have yet to decide how I will vote, and I want to listen closely to the representations that will be made by constituents, experts, campaigners and my fellow MPs before making up my mind.

“I thank those who have already shared their views with me."

North Durham MP Luke Akehurst said: “I will be listening carefully to the debate, and I want to be sure all the correct safeguards are in the bill, but at this stage I am minded to vote for the assisted dying law so that terminally ill people can choose to end their life.”

However, the other three MPs contacted by the Echo are yet to respond. They are Lewis Atkinson for Sunderland Central, Grahame Morris for Easington and Bridget Phillipson for Houghton and Sunderland South.

The 2015 Assisted Dying Bill was defeated at its second reading after four hours of debate. On that occasion Mrs Hodgson, Mr Morris and Ms Phillipson voted no, as did Julie Elliott who stood down as Sunderland Central MP at the last general election.

Prime Minister Kier Starmer is understood to be in favour of the proposal and voted yes in 2015.

The next Leader of the Opposition will be either Kemi Badenoch or Robert Jenrick. Mr Jenrick also voted yes in 2015, but Mrs Badenoch was not an MP at the time.