§ 63. Sir Arnold Wilsonasked the Minister of Health whether the report of the Inter-Departmental Committee on Abortion, under the chairmanship of Mr. N. Birkett, K.C., will be published before the Recess; whether he will represent to the chairman of that committee the advisability of publishing the evidence at the same time as the report; and whether, if the committee so desires, he will do his best to ensure that the publication of the evidence is not vetoed on financial grounds?
§ Mr. ElliotI understand that the committee have recently completed the hearing of evidence. They are now engaged in consideration of the evidence and they hope to be in a position to present a report before the end of the year. As regards the second and third parts of the question, I will bear my hon. Friend's suggestion in mind, but I think that it would be premature to settle this question at the present stage.
§ Sir A. WilsonWill my right hon. Friend bear in mind that on a matter of this sort unless the evidence is published it will be very difficult for the House to reach a conclusion?
§ Mr. ElliotI will bear my hon. Friend's suggestion in mind.