§ 14. Miss Joan Lestorasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what statistics are kept of women becoming pregnant as a result of artificial insemination by donor provided through the National Health Service.
§ Dr. VaughanNational Health Service centres providing artificial insemination by donor are not required to return information about these cases. Where numbers are small, provision of statistical information carries a risk to confidentiality and, as the hon. Lady will recognise, it is important, in the interests of the child, that these cases should be known only to the mother, her husband and the doctor concerned.
§ Miss LestorIs not the Minister aware that, in the National Health Service, this service is very haphazard and that the 1280 availability of treatment varies according to where one lives? Does he not recognise that there has been an enormous growth of treatment by AID in the private sector? Does not the hon. Gentleman feel that that is wrong and that this service should be available particularly to married women who could then become pregnant?
§ Dr. VaughanI am aware of what the hon. Lady has said. We are concerned that the service should be available to those who want it. Nottingham university has the largest number of places, and over the past two and a half years it has dealt with 500 couples. It provides a valuable service, and we should be happy to see that service extended.
§ Mr. StokesIs my hon. Friend aware that many people consider AID to be a distasteful and dangerous concept, which should be abandoned?
§ Dr. VaughanThis is a personal matter. Sometimes couples cannot produce children easily, and it is important that this service should be available. We shall ensure that the service is extended.