§ Mr. AltonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health in how many cases of breaches of the Abortion Act 1967 and regulations relating to abortion his Department has referred the cases to the legal authorities in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyNone.
§ Mr. AltonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many forms relating to abortion were submitted late by King's College hospital, London, in relation to the regulations governing abortion in the last 12 months.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyIt is not the Department's practice to disclose detailed information relating to terminations of pregnancy carried out at individual places.
§ Mr. AltonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what action his Department takes in relation to forms concerning abortion submitted to the chief medical officer without being dated or signed by the doctors concerned; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what action his Department takes in relation to forms concerning abortion submitted to the chief medical officer which breach the regulations concerning the notification of abortions.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyAll of the notification forms sent to the chief medical officer are scrutinised by staff authorised by him. Any incomplete forms are returned to the notifying doctor for completion and breaches of the regulations are taken up as appropriate.