§ Mr. AltonTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what methods of abortion are included in the term "other surgical method" used in the abortion statistics published by his Department. [7925]
§ Mrs. Angela Knight[holding answer 9 December 1996]: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the chief executive of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.
Letter from Tim Holt to Mr. David Alton, dated 13 January 1997:
The Chancellor of the Exchequer has asked me to reply to your recent question on what methods of abortion are included in the term other surgical method used within the abortion statistics published by his Department.An examination of the forms of notification of termination of pregnancy in the most recent two years for which forms are available showed that the Other surgical method was in each case used by clinicians to provide specific information about a procedure which could otherwise have been indicated in another category. The information given fell into three groups:
- (a) the induction of labour by means of a surgical procedure, for example intra or extra amniotic prostaglandins administration. (Some practitioners record this procedure under the category Medical termination.);
- (b) where the initial procedure preceding the abortion involved procedures to stop the fetal heart, such as injection of intra-cardiac potassium chloride. (Some practitioners record this information under Other medical agents.);
- (c) where it was necessary to carry out surgical procedures post-termination, for example removal of the placenta, insertion of an intrauterine contraceptive device or other gynecological procedures.
§ Mr. AltonTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the number of abortions performed from 21 weeks' gestation by "other surgical methods" in the last year for which figures are available. [7926]
25W
§ Mrs. Knight[holding answer 9 December 1996]: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the chief executive of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.
Letter from Tim Holt to Mr. David Alton, dated 13 January 1997:
The Chancellor of the Exchequer has asked me to reply as the Director of the the Office for National Statistics to your recent question on the number of abortions performed from 21 weeks gestation by other surgical methods in the last year for which figures are available.There are four cases at 21 weeks and over in 1995, the most recent year for which information is available.