HC Deb 06 March 1979 vol 963 c611W
45. Mr. Bendall

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if social abortions are considered emergencies when hospitals are closed for normal emergency admissions.

Mr. Moyle

It is the responsibility of each health authority to do everything possible to make appropriate arrangements locally for the maintenance of essential services and to meet emergencies. Nevertheless, it would clearly not be possible to admit emergency cases of any sort to a hospital which a health authority had found it necessary to close for emergency admissions.