HC Deb 16 October 1996 vol 282 cc913-5W
Mr. Redmond

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many abortions have been performed in total to women usually resident in the Trent region under the provisions of the Abortion Act 1967; and how many and what percentage of these abortions were performed in emergency to save the life of the mother. [40820]

Mrs. Angela Knight

The total number of abortions performed under the Abortion Act, to women usually resident in the Trent health region1 from 1970 to 19942 was 245,489. During this period, nine abortions, 0.004 per cent. of the total number of abortions performed, were carried out in an emergency, certified by the operating practitioner as immediately necessary, to save the life of the woman3. 1 Figures are based, where possible, on 1994 health authority boundaries. Other boundary changes have not been reflected in the figures. 2Figures for 1968–69 are not held on a comparable basis. 3Abortions performed under statutory grounds 5 (1970–31 March 1991) and F (1 April-present day) that is, where in the case of emergency it was necessary to save the life of the woman.

Mr. Redmond

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give a breakdown by gestation of the pregnancy of the abortions performed on women usually resident in the Trent region in the last year for which figures are available; and what were the comparable figures for each of the previous four years. [40821]

Mrs. Knight

The latest year for which abortion data by gestation of the pregnancy are available for women usually resident in the Trent health region is 1994. The data are presented in table 21 of the 1994 abortion statistics, series AB No. 21, HMSO publication 1996.

Comparable figures for each of the last four years, 1990 to 1993 inclusive, are available in table 24b (1990, 1991) and 24c (1992, 1993) in the following publications: 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, abortion statistics, England and Wales, series AB Nos. 17 to 21 respectively; HMSO publications 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996 respectively.

Mr. Redmond

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give a breakdown by the procedure adopted of the number of abortions performed on women usually resident in the Trent region in the latest year for which he has figures; and what were the comparable figures for each of the last four years. [400874]

Mrs. Knight

The latest year for which abortion data by procedure are available for women usually resident in the Trent health region is 1994. The data are presented in table 18 of 1994 abortion statistics, series AB No. 21, HMSO publication 1996.

Comparable figures for each of the last four years, 1990 to 1993 inclusive, are available in table 22, in the following publications: 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993 abortion statistics, England and Wales, series AB Nos. 17 to 21 respectively; HMSO publications 199d1, 1993, 1995, 1995, 1996 respectively.

Mr. Redmond

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give a breakdown by age of the mother of abortions carried out on women usually resident in the Trent region in each of the last five years. [40833]

Mrs. Knight

A breakdown of legal terminations by age of mother usually resident in the Trent health region, for the years 1990 to 1994 inclusive are available in the following publications: 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994 abortion statistics, England and Wales, series AB Nos. 17 to 21 respectively; HMSO publications 1991, 1993, 1995, 1995, 1996 respectively.