§ 98. Mr. Edwin Brooksasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will introduce legislation to safeguard the position of a surgeon who sterilises a husband under the National Health Service on the grounds that his patient's wife would suffer physical or mental ill-health should she become pregnant.
§ Mr. CrossmanNo such legislation is necessary since I am advised that there is no doubt as to the legality of male sterilisation on the grounds referred to in the232W Question. As a matter of urgency I am however reviewing in consultation with the medical profession the circumstances in which this treatment should be made available under the National Health Service.