HC Deb 14 April 1969 vol 781 cc773-6
17. Mrs. Renée Short

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is satisfied with the operation in general of the Abortion Act in relation to the facilities afforded by the medical profession to women seeking terminations of pregnancy; what action he plans to take to enable the National Health Service to meet its obligations to women patients in this respect; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Crossman

I am by no means satisfied so far as private practice under the Act is concerned. I have recently reviewed the question of the standards required in approved establishments, and have asked for additional information before granting my approval or re-approval which is needed to enable any such establishment to continue in use after 27th April. It is too early to reach conclusions about the adequacy of National Health Service hospital facilities, but I am watching the situation closely.

Mrs. Short

Will my right hon. Friend continue to watch this very carefully with regard to the National Health Service? Is he aware that some consultant gynaecologists are issuing blanket refusals to take any terminations at all, even though they may be referred and recommended by two or even three medical colleagues? Does my right hon. Friend not think it is high time that women were freed of the tyranny of a certain section of the medical profession in this regard, and will he see what can be done to ensure that the law is in effect carried out?

Mr. Crossman

I agree that my hon. Friend has pointed out an extreme danger which may occur in certain cases.

Mrs. Short

It does.

Mr. Crossman

If my hon. Friend will send me details I shall be grateful. But I should point out that the danger I mentioned is at the moment a far graver one.

Dame Irene Ward

Arising out of the hon. Lady's supplementary question, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman to bear in mind that a lot of the medical profession think that the Measure was placed on the Statute Book without sufficient safeguard in it and without the medical profession as such being able adequately and properly to express its views?

Mr. Crossman

I am as aware as the hon. Lady of what happened during the course of the Bill. The Amendments to the Bill did not satisfy even everybody in this House about the safeguards. However, the question that I was asked was about how the Act is working. There is no doubt that the way that the Act is working, in particular in the private sector, is giving grave alarm even to those who were keen supporters of it.

Mr. Brooks

Is my right hon. Friend aware that those of us who supported the principle of the Act will nevertheless welcome his recent strictures and actions? Does he also agree that there is undoubtedly a financial racket being worked in this sphere, and will he consider carrying out an investigation into this aspect of a very shady and unsatisfactory situation?

Mr. Crossman

I entirely share my hon. Friend's feelings. I am having a most careful investigation made about all aspects of what is going on, but I have to limit my activities to what I am legally entitled to do. This is what I referred to in my original answer.

Sir G. Nabarro

As the Question specifically refers to the general operation of the Statute, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman to have regard to the large number of foreign women alleged to be entering this country—

Mrs. Short

Rubbish.

Sir G. Nabarro

—to take advantage of the liberality of our reformed abortion laws? Will he take steps to investigate cesser of that abuse?

Mr. Crossman

I am keeping this aspect under careful review. It is some- thing that applies solely to the private sector, and, of that, one sector in London. However, I am looking at the matter very carefully, indeed. I would remind the hon. Member that the figure represents a tiny proportion of the total number of operations performed.

Mr. Pavitt

I ignore the exaggerations of the hon. Member for Worcestershire, South (Sir G. Nabarro). Nevertheless, will my right hon. Friend discuss with the B.M.A. the problem that arises when people from abroad who are not entitled to an abortion operation can go to a local practitioner and, by reason of a private fee, get a referral to hospital? Will my right hon. Friend discuss that angle with the doctors concerned?

Mr. Crossman

That is one of the subjects I want to discuss with the B.M.A. As I say, I am gravely concerned about aspects of the working of the Act, but it is too early yet to draw general conclusions.