THE tone of Peter Mullen’s column on assisted dying (Echo, July 15) was in tune with the way the Archbishop of Canterbury is encouraging the discussion inside the Church of England on contentious issues.

The next big issue ahead of them is assisted dying.

It is already due to be debated in Parliament and I think it is a matter requiring legal clarification that is well overdue.

I occupy the uncomfortable ground and admit that of vacillation.

I have been consulted by medical practitioners on the management of loved ones in terminal illnesses and I am not reassured that my responses have been the most compassionate ones.

When decisions have to be made at critical times, and it involves someone’s death ,we need to be assured that safeguards are in place.

In drafting legislation, can we guarantee that there are enough safeguards for this?

If Reverend Mullen is counselling for us to tread cautiously I agree with him.

G Bulmer, Billingham.