MERSEY MPs are calling for Parliament to end the confusion which leaves people not knowing whether they will be prosecuted if they take terminally-ill relatives abroad to die.

Four MPs have demanded a proper debate on whether the law should “distinguish between assisting suicide and assisting the death of a mentally competent terminally ill adult”.

Gordon Brown offered Labour MPs a free vote on the controversy, should an amendment tabled by ex-health secretary Patricia Hewitt be pushed to a vote this week.

Louise Ellman (Riverside), Peter Kilfoyle (Walton), Andrew Miller (Ellesmere Port and Neston) and Eddie O’Hara (Knowsley South) are among more than 100 MPs questioning the 1961 Suicide Act.

It follows a series of cases in which relatives have faced an agonising wait to learn if they would be prosecuted after taking dying family members to the Swiss euthanasia clinic, Dignitas.

Ms Hewitt last week called for Dignitas-style clinics to be set up in the UK to allow the terminally ill to end their “suffering”.

However, it appeared unlikely MPs would vote on the controversy as early as this week, when the Coroners and Justice Bill returns to the Commons, although a debate is possible.

Instead, Mr Brown, who made clear his continued opposition to changing the law, said a backbencher should bring forward a Bill, rather than trying to amend the Coroners Bill.

Mrs Ellman said she was “open to persuasion”, adding: “The amendment is worthy of consideration, but no decision should be taken quickly.

“I fully understand people who want the law to change, but I am concerned there should be strong safeguards to prevent people being pressurised.”