§ Mrs. Ann WintertonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance has been issued by his Department152W to candidates for consultancy posts in gynaecology concerning their rights under the conscience clause of the Abortion Act 1967.
§ Mr. MellorThe Department has not issued any guidance to candidates for consultant posts in gynaecology, not all of which involve duties relating to the termination of pregnancy. Under a long-standing agreement with the medical profession no reference to termination duties should be included in the advertisement of hospital posts, but it should be included in the job description made available to all applicants.