Abortion (Hansard, 28 July 1983)

§ Ms. Richardson
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the percentage of the total number of induced abortions performed at each stage of pregnancy for residents of England and Wales from 1968 to 1982.

§ Mr. Kenneth Clarke
The figures requested are shown in the following table. 1982 data are not yet available.

§ Mr. Kenneth Clarke
The figures requested are shown in the following table. 1982 data are not yet available.
emergency bed service admissions in connection with abortion, known offences of procuring illegal abortion and persons found guilty of illegal abortion offences.
585W

§ Mr. Kenneth Clarke
Posssible indicators of the incidence of illegal abortion in the years 1968 to 1982 are as follows. Information on emergency bed service admissions is not available centrally.

England and Wales

Year Deaths in cases following main diagnosis of illegal abortions or recorded as induced but not otherwise specified (ICD classification) Deaths in cases where abortion not specified as induced or spontaneous (ICD classification) Cases treated in hospital with main diagnosis of illegal abortion (estimates only)^* Discharges from hospital following diagnosis of septic abortion (estimates only)^* Cases of procuring illegal abortion recorded by the police (From Table 2.7 of "Criminal Statistics-England & Wales") Persons found guilty of illegal abortion offences at all courts, or cautioned (From Table 5.9 of "Criminal Statistics-England & Wales")

1968 22 10 520 3,110 247 Not available

1969 15 2 670 2,080 257 Not available

1970 11 4 750 2,020 212 55

1971 6 4 770 1,600 80 54

1972 7 7 320 970 62 48

1973 4 2 520 930 36 11

1974 2 1 370 540 21 17

1975 1 1 180 610 14 1

1976 1 3 110 700 9 5

1977 1 Nil 170 680 11 3

1978 Nil Nil 120 640 7 4

1979 Nil 2 70 760 3 Nil

1980 Nil 1 Not yet available Not yet available 2 5

1981 Nil 1 Not yet available Not yet available 3 3

1982 Nil Nil Not yet available Not yet available

^* These figures derive from the hospital in-patient inquiry, which is only a sample inquiry. As the number of cases diagnosed as illegal abortions is small, there is a large sampling error.

England and Wales
Year	Deaths in cases following main diagnosis of illegal abortions or recorded as induced but not otherwise specified (ICD classification)	Deaths in cases where abortion not specified as induced or spontaneous (ICD classification)	Cases treated in hospital with main diagnosis of illegal abortion (estimates only)^*	Discharges from hospital following diagnosis of septic abortion (estimates only)^*	Cases of procuring illegal abortion recorded by the police (From Table 2.7 of "Criminal Statistics-England & Wales")	Persons found guilty of illegal abortion offences at all courts, or cautioned (From Table 5.9 of "Criminal Statistics-England & Wales")
1968	22	10	520	3,110	247	Not available
1969	15	2	670	2,080	257	Not available
1970	11	4	750	2,020	212	55
1971	6	4	770	1,600	80	54
1972	7	7	320	970	62	48
1973	4	2	520	930	36	11
1974	2	1	370	540	21	17
1975	1	1	180	610	14	1
1976	1	3	110	700	9	5
1977	1	Nil	170	680	11	3
1978	Nil	Nil	120	640	7	4
1979	Nil	2	70	760	3	Nil
1980	Nil	1	Not yet available	Not yet available	2	5
1981	Nil	1	Not yet available	Not yet available	3	3
1982	Nil	Nil	Not yet available	Not yet available
^* These figures derive from the hospital in-patient inquiry, which is only a sample inquiry. As the number of cases diagnosed as illegal abortions is small, there is a large sampling error.