§ Mr. ChapmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what are the other agents used in some prostoglandin abortions; and how many prostoglandin abortions were performed in England and Wales in 1986(a) with and (b) without the use of other agents, respectively.
§ Mr. NewtonDoctors are asked to specify the other agents used in prostoglandin abortions on the notification form which must be submitted to the chief medical officer for every abortion performed. An analysis of this information could be provided, only at disproportionate cost, but I understand that the agents normally used are oxytocin and urea. The numbers of prostoglandin abortions in England and Wales in 1986 are as follows:
Number Prostoglandins only 3,616 Prostoglandins with other agents 5,570