HC Deb 22 June 1971 vol 819 cc1176-8
9. Sir G. Nabarro

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what estimate he has made of the extent of ingress into the United Kingdom of female aliens seeking abortions at National Health Service and private clinics: to what extent such foreign nationals are displacing British women seeking similar services; and whether he will take steps designed to diminish the flow of foreign women for the purposes stated.

Sir K. Joseph

The provisional figure for notified abortions on foreign women in the first quarter of this year is 2,617 or 11 per cent. of the total notified for England and Wales. Foreign women who come to this country for abortions are not eligible for free treatment under the National Health Service. I have no information on the effect at private clinics. This matter is one which I would expect the Lane Committee on the Working of the Abortion Act to consider.

Sir G. Nabarro

As my right hon. Friend has no information on activities in private clinics, may I ask him to pursue his inquiries further, having regard to the fact that there is now a flood of these foreign women entering Britain under the guise of ordinary tourists? Is he aware that charges are exorbitant? Why does my right hon. Friend give tacit consent to this particularly odious and repugnant traffic which is coming to be regarded as a form of invisible export?

Sir K. Joseph

The Act gives me no power in inquire into charges inside abortion clinics but the consent given to their practice is dependent upon certain undertakings and the observation of certain regulations. If there is any evidence that these are broken I have power to withdraw consent.

Mr. Simon Mahon

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that he gave a promise to the House that the Committee he formed, very wisely, under Mrs. Justice Lane would be as broad-based as possible? Can he now tell the House whether he is satisfied that that Committee comprises such a broad base of opinion and that membership of religious organisations was no bar to membership?

Sir K. Joseph

I tried to recruit the Committee from people who had taken no firm line on either side of the issue and who would therefore bring a fresh mind and a fresh judgment to the implications. I am satisfied that I have a high-quality membership.

Mr. Gardner

Will my right hon. Friend take steps to make sure that this country loses as quickly as possible its growing reputation as the abortion centre of the world? Will he bear in mind that most people in this country are outraged by this situation and want to see an end to this traffic?

Sir K. Joseph

I find myself in sympathy with my hon. and learned Friend—

Sir G. Nabarro

And with me, I hope.

Sir K. Joseph

—when he expresses disgust at some of the phenomena attached to the private sector of the abortion market. Nevertheless, I must have evidence before I can do anything about it. I rely upon the Lane Committee to look at the whole situation.