§ Mr. AmessTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many babies were born alive in 1987 and 1988 and to date in 1989 at 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 31) arid 31 weeks' gestation.
§ Mr. FreemanThe information requested is not available. Gestation period is recorded at the registration of still births but not live births.
§ Mr. AmessTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will publish in theOfficial Report the dates of implementation of the nine recommendations contained in the Select Committee on the Abortion (Amendment) Bill 1974–75; and if he will make a statement;
(2) if he will publish in the Official Report those recommendations contained in the Select Committee on the Abortion (Amendment) Bill 1974–75 which were implemented (a) in part and (b) in full; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. FreemanThe information is as follows:
Select Committee recommendation with implementation and date
1. Counselling of womenIn full in July 1977 (HC(77)26)Select Committee recommendation with implementation and date
2. Examination of the WomenIn part in March 1976 (SI 1976 No. 15)3. Certification and NotificationIn part in March 1981 (SI 1980 No. 1724)4. Disclosure of InformationIn full in March 1976 (SI 1976 No. 15)5. Private Sector ArrangementsIn part in September 1975 through the system of "assurances" which proprietors of approved places are required to give to the Secretary of State6. Foreign WomenIn part in December 19757. National Health Service-Termination after the 20th week Discussed with Regional Medical Officers in 1975 and 19838. Referral AgenciesIn full in March 19779. The Use of Foetuses and Foetal Material for Research (the Peel Report)The Peel Code of Practice issued in 1972 was voluntarily accepted by the professions. The Department ensures that arrangements for supply of foetal material for research from private sector places carrying out abortions comply with the Code of Practice.
§ Mr. AmessTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will seek to obtain for his departmental library a copy of the hearings and report from the United States Judiciary Committee on the Human Life Bill of the 97th Congress; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. FreemanThe Department is obtaining a copy of this report.
§ Mr. AmessTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what information he has as to the medical circumstances which created the need for abortions to be performed in 573W emergencey to save the life of the mother in those cases which have arisen in 1986, 1987 and 1988; and if he will indicate the number of times each of those conditions has been the relevant factor.
§ Mr. FreemanThere were two abortions performed in England and Wales in 1986 with mention of ground 5 of the 1967 Abortions Act, which allows an abortion to be performed in emergency in order to save the life of the pregnant woman, on the notification form. In 1987 there were three such abortions, and in 1988 there were six.
Further details relating to the medical circumstances which created the need for these abortions to be performed cannot be released for reasons of maintaining confidentiality.
§ Mr. AmessTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what were the reasons for the two non-National Health Service abortions in 1987 over 25 weeks gestation.
§ Mr. FreemanThe informatin requested cannot be released for reasons of maintaining confidentiality.