§ Mr. Nicholas WintertonTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) pursuant to his replies of 2 November,Official Report, column 567, why information is not collected about the percentage of women referred for abortions by abortion agencies;
(2) pursuant to his replies of 2 November, Official Report, column 567, why information is not collected centrally about the numbers of women dealt with by abortion advisory bureaux.
§ Mrs. CurrieWe see no need to do so. The conditions already imposed on the private abortion sector are sufficient to ensure that abortions are performed in accordance with existing legislation. To collect the information requested would not add to these controls.
§ Mr. Nicholas WintertonTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services, pursuant to his replies of 2 November,Official Report, column 567, why no information is collected about the total revenue from abortions upon foreign women.
§ Mrs. CurrieWe see no need to do so. This information is a matter for the management of the hospital or clinic where the abortion is carried out.
§ Mr. Nicholas WintertonTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what has been the total number of non-National Health Service abortions performed in England under the Abortion Act 1967, and what was the total number of abortions performed in non-National Health Service facilities in England in the latest year for which figures are available.
§ Mrs. CurrieI regret that the full information requested can be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, my hon. Friend may be interested in the table, which shows readily available figures.
Number of notifications of abortions carried out under the Abortion Act 1967 in non-NHS premises in England 1974–86 Year Number 1974 107,258 1975 88,696 1976 77,858 1977 80,801 1978 86,779 1979 92,376 1980 102,663 1981 101,203 1982 100,462 1983 99,264 1984 104,970 1985 106,510 1986 104,646 Figures prior to 1981 are based on notifications received; from 1981 onwards the figures are based on occurrences.
§ Mr. Nicholas WintertonTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the total number of beds in private clinics currently licensed for abortions in England.
§ Mrs. CurrieI refer my hon. Friend to my hon. Friend's reply to the hon. Member for Liverpool, Mossley Hill (Mr. Alton) on 26 October, at columns170–75.