§ Mr. Pawseyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what measures he is taking to ensure that his policy on the provision of contraceptives to children under the age of consent without parental consent is adopted only in most unusual circumstances; and whether any statistics and monitoring procedures are required from area health authorities and those birth control clinics in receipt of public funds.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeThe Department's guidance on family planning and young people was revised in February 1981 and now emphasises that it would be most unusual to provide advice about contraception without parental consent for children under 16. It also recognises that the decision whether or not to prescribe contraception must be for the clinical judgment of the doctor. I do not consider further measures are necessary.
Health authorities are required to record the ages of people using the family planning services, including those provided by voluntary bodies or others on an agency basis.