HL Deb 15 July 1969 vol 304 cc252-3WA
LORD VIVIAN

asked Her Majesty's Government:

  1. (1) How many operations have been performed for the termination of pregnancy since the Abortion Act became law.
  2. (2) How many of the women concerned were British.
  3. (3) How many were of German origin.
  4. (4) How many were of Scandinavian origin.
  5. (5) How many were aged 16 years or under.

THE MINISTER of STATE, DEPARTMENT of HEALTH and SOCIAL SECURITY (BARONESS SEROTA)

During the period April 27, 1968, to July 1, 1969, 46, 714 notifications were received of abortions performed in England and Wales under the Abortion Act, 1967. The form of notification used does not require either nationality or country of origin to be recorded, but in 43, 823 of the notifications received the place of normal residence was given as the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands, or the Isle of Man, in 1, 306 as the Federal Republic of Germany, and in 17 as one of the Scandinavian countries.

One thousand and fifty-five of the notifications related to women who were under 16 years of age at the time of operation. Figures are not readily available of the number of women who were aged 16 years.