HC Deb 27 July 1981 vol 9 cc341-2W
Dr. McDonald

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many discharges there were from hospitals in England and Wales following abortion admissions not specified as induced or spontaneous in the years 1979 and 1980, respectively; and how many discharges there were following a diagnosis of septic abortion for the same year.

Sir George Young

The information requested for 1979 will not be available before October 1981, and that for 1980 a year later.

Dr. McDonald

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what percentage and number of legal abortions in England and Wales were performed (a) at under nine weeks' gestation, (b) at nine to 12 weeks' gestation, (c) at 13 to 19 weeks' gestation, (d) at 20 to 23 weeks' gestation and (e) at 24 weeks' and over in the year 1980;

(2) how many girls in England and Wales under the age of 16 years (a) gave birth, (b) had still births and (c) had abortions in 1980; and what was the abortion rate for girls aged 15 and 16 years in that year.

Sir George Young

The available information for residents of England and Wales is as follows:

Live and still births and legal abortions to girls aged under 16
England and Wales residents 1980
Live births 1,281
Stillbirths 8
Total births 1,289
Legal abortions *3,648
* Notifications.

The information requested on legal abortions by single years of age and by gestation is unlikely to be available for 1980 before November 1981 when I will arrange for it to be sent to the hon. Member.