§ Ms PrimaroloTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many women were seen at district health authority and trust family planning clinics in each of the last 10 years.
§ Mr. SackvilleThe numbers of women seen in England were as follows:
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Thousands 1983 1,448 1984 1,487 1985 1,454 1986 1,406 1987–88 1,319 1988–89 1,115 11989–90 1,116 11990–91 1,060 1991–92 1,046 1992–93 1,030 1 Figures are estimates based on those districts providing data and relate to the number of first contacts. Women can choose the source of their family planning advice and treatment. Guidance from the Department stresses the need for the balance of clinic and general practitioner provision to match identified local need; 98 per cent. of GPs provide contraceptive services and more than two thirds of women seeking family planning advice now see their own or another GP.