HC Deb 09 December 1975 vol 902 cc219-20
8. Mr. David Steel

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she is satisfied with the workings of the Abortion Act 1967.

Dr. Owen

I personally agree with the general conclusions of the Lane Committee on this subject. The gains facilitated by the Act have in my judgement clearly outweighed the disadvantages for which it has been criticised. Much individual suffering has been relieved, while the rights of those with conscientious objections to abortion have been protected. The Department will continue to seek, through experience, to improve the administration of the provisions of the Abortion Act.

Mr. Steel

Does the Minister agree that the Select Committee, of which I was a member in the last Session, thoroughly reviewed the workings of the Act and came up with some unanimous recommendations, which he and his Department have agreed to implement? How is that implementation going? Does the Minister agree that, if there is a desire in the House to change the fundamental law on this subject, in either a more liberal or a more retrogressive direction, it must be done by legislation and not by the setting up of another Select Committee, which could not resolve the deeply-held differences of opinion on this question?

Dr. Owen

I am grateful, as, I am sure, is the whole House, to the former Select Committee for producing a very useful set of recommendations on the administration of the Abortion Act. As the House knows, the Government have accepted all those recommendations. This will mean, I think, that the abuses of the Act, particularly in the private sector, will be largely eradicated. The main outstanding issues in this area of the working of the Act are most controversial, and the views held by opposing sides seem to be irreconcilable, although sincerely held. It will be for the whole House to decide whether a Select Committee should be re-established. In the Government's view, that decision should be on the basis of a free vote.