§ Lord Braine of Wheatleyasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many abortions have been performed within the North Thames Region, under the provisions of the Abortion Act 1967 (as amended); and how many and what percentage of such abortions were performed in an emergency to save the life of the mother.
§ Lord Mackay of ArdbrecknishThe total number of abortions carried out under the Abortion Act, to women usually resident in the North Thames health Region1, from 1970 to 19942 was 752,736. During this period, 19 abortions, 0.003 per cent. of the total number of 196WA abortions performed, were carried out in an emergency, certified by the operating practitioner as immediately necessary, to save the life of the woman3.
1Figures are based, where possible, on 1994 health authority boundaries. Other boundary changes have not been reflected in the figures.
2 Figures for 1968–69 are not held on a comparable basis.
3Abortions performed under statutory grounds 5 (1970–31st March 1991) and F (1st April 1991–present)—i.e., where in the case of emergency it was necessary to save the life of the woman.