Abortion (Hansard, 28 February 1989)

§ 10. Mr. Amos
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the teaching to pupils over the age of 13 years of subjects covering the issue of abortion.

§ Mrs. Rumbold
It is for schools to decide whether and how to deal with the issue of abortion. The Government look to schools to show sensitivity in dealing with issues such as abortion, taking into account the views and concerns of parents.

§ Mr. Amos
Is my hon. Friend aware that in 1987, there were more than 4,000 abortions on girls aged 15 and under, compared to only 553 in 1968? Virtually all those were under the statutory ground No. 2. Will she, therefore, ensure that sex education involves far more teaching about the moral issues involved, instead of just the mechanics?

§ Mrs. Rumbold
The responsibility for determining what is dealt with in sex education, and how, lies with the governing bodies of schools, as I believe my hon. Friend knows.

§ Ms. Mowlam
The Minister suggested that the responsibility lies with the schools, but she also said that she expected a certain degree of sensitivity from teachers. Can she expand on what she means by that and try to explain to the House the necessity, which I am sure that all hon. Members feel, to have sensible and rational discussion on such issues.

§ Mrs. Rumbold
The hon. Lady will know that a number of different syllabuses are available in science teaching in schools and that the responsibility rests with the teachers. One hopes that the teachers will choose sensibly from the available syllabuses and ensure that all the circumstances that relate to matters of biology are taught sensibly and sensitively in schools.

§ Mr. Harry Greenway
Does my hon. Friend agree that abortion should be dealt with in religious education and that the Christian position on abortion should be explained? Does she also agree that it is shocking and bad that some head teachers have said that they may not observe the law on Christian-based assemblies and religious education?

§ Mrs. Rumbold
I think that my hon. Friend will know that the whole matter of religious education has been dealt with in the Education Reform Act 1988. We hope, therefore, that schools will obey the law, as it has been strengthened, on religious education. Of course, my right hon. Friend and the standing advisory councils on religious education that are to be set up for each local education authority will monitor the position and will expect children to have a sound Christian-based religious education where that is applicable and right.