HC Deb 23 February 1988 vol 128 cc177-8W
Mr. Darling

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what has been the percentage change in Department of Health and Social Security payments made in respect of people in private residential care homes or nursing homes for the elderly, since 1979 and in the most recent year for which figures are available.

Mr. Portillo

I regret that information is not available in the form requested. Information on expenditure for all client groups was given in my reply to the hon. Member for Peckham (Ms. Harman) on 17 December 1987 at column704. In that reply I gave the percentage change in expenditure since 1979 as 4,580 per cent. This should have been 4,490 per cent. Between 1984 and 1986 the increase was 129.5 per cent.

to introduce legislation to prevent the use of National Health Service resources for the termination of pregnancy in cases where the abortion is not performed for health reasons;

(2) if he will make it his policy to introduce legislation to make it an offence to receive payment for the performing of an abortion or for referring a woman for an abortion.

Mr. Newton

As my hon. Friend is aware, the Government's general policy is that legislation on abortion is for the initiative of private Members.