During the Westminster Hall debate, Labour MP Paul Blomfield was in tears as he told the harrowing story of his father's death after being diagnosed with lung cancer.
"I can speak as a former health secretary to say that the medical movement as a whole is changing its view," said Mr Hancock, who has been tipped for a Cabinet comeback in a reshuffle.
In response, Justice minister James Cartlidge told MPs:"The government's view remains that any relaxation of the law in this area is an issue of individual conscience and a matter for Parliament to decide."It is that the ultimate decision on whether to change the law is for Parliament to decide in the tradition of previous matters of conscience that have come before the House.
"I had spoken to him the previous night, on the phone as I walked through St James' Park, an ordinary conversation that gave me no inkling of his plan. Also backing Mr Hancock's call, another former Cabinet minister, Andrew Mitchell, described himself as a"convert to the cause".
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