HC Deb 26 June 1974 vol 875 cc448-9W
Mr. Faulds

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action Her Majesty's Government have taken to implement Resolution 675 of the Council of Europe.

Mr. John Grant

I have been asked to reply.

The document to which my hon. Friend refers is presumably Recommendation 675 (1972) of the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe on birth control and family planning which was transmitted to member Governments by the Committee of Ministers' deputies in January 1973. Recommendations of the Assembly are not binding on member Governments, and some of the suggestions in this very comprehensive recommendation proposed action which had already taken place in the United Kingdom.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services made a statement on 28th March—[Vol. 871, c. 653–6]—about the availability of family planning under the National Health Service; but if my hon. Friend wishes to have further information about specific points in the recommendation he may care to ask separate Questions about these.