§ 75. Mr. BOOTHBYasked the Minister of Health whether any statistics exist to show whether the prevalence in this 233 country of illegal operations for abortion by unqualified persons is a contributive factor to the high rate of maternal mortality; and whether, in view of the recommendations of the British Medical Association, following the report of its special committee, His Majesty's Government will consider setting up a Royal Commission to inquire into the operation and results of the present law relating to abortion, with a view to its reform?
§ The MINISTER of HEALTH (Sir Kingsley Wood)The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The suggestion made by my hon. Friend in the second part of the question will receive my careful consideration when I have before me the report, now in course of preparation, of the special investigations recently made by officers of my Department into maternal mortality in various parts of the country.