§ 38. Sir D. Rentonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether, in view of the difficulties which have arisen with regard to the operation of the Abortion Act, he will ensure that all local authorities take full advantage of their powers under the National Health Service (Family Planning) Act, 1967.
§ Mr. CrossmanI am taking every opportunity to encourage local authorities to expand their family planning services, but it must be a matter for each individual authority to determine the speed of its advance in the light of finance and staff available.
I have also decided to make the Family Planning Association a grant of £20,000 a year for five years towards their expenditure on training, and this will contribute towards the development of family planning services.
§ Sir D. RentonIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that he has at last given a more or less satisfactory answer? Will he be so good as to use all his persuasion 31 on the local authorities to achieve better results in terms of their assistance to family planning centres?
§ Mr. CrossmanCertainly I will. We have reached the point where 170 out of 175 have reported that they have some kind of service, but, of course, the quality varies enormously.