HL Deb 13 February 1973 vol 338 c1400

2.57 p.m.

BARONESS WOOTTON OF ABINGER

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether it is a fact that either under English or under Scottish law a woman must obtain her husband's permission for a sterilisation operation, but a man can have a vasectomy performed without the permission of his wife.

THE MINISTER OF STATE, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SECURITY (LORD ABERDARE)

My Lords, I am advised that there is no legal requirement either under English or Scottish law that the consent of a spouse must be obtained to the sterilisation of the partner.

BARONESS WOOTTON OF ABINGER

My Lords, I am very grateful to the noble Lord for his Answer. May I ask whether he would make this fact widely public, because there is certainly misunderstanding about it, particularly in Scotland.

LORD ABERDARE

My Lords, I shall certainly be pleased to do that.