§ Lord Braine of Wheatleyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they are taking steps to reduce the number of abortions in Great Britain. [HL620]
§ Baroness Jay of PaddingtonThe decision to seek a termination is a difficult and often agonising one for any woman. The Government are keen to find ways of reducing the number of unintended and unwanted conceptions which may, in some cases, lead to abortion.
97WAThe National Health Service provides a wide range of family planning services through general practitioner services and family planning clinics. This includes advice and counselling on family planning as well as the provision of contraceptives. All methods of contraception available under the NHS are obtainable free of charge.
Through Section 64 of the Health Services and Public Health Act 1968 the Government fund voluntary organisations working in the field of family planning and contraceptive services, including the Family Planning Association (FPA), Brook Advisory Centres, the Sex Education Forum and Marriage Care. They also fund the Contraceptive Education Service (CES), which aims to raise awareness and understanding among the general public and professionals about contraceptive methods and services.
In November 1997 the Government announced a national programme to tackle the high rate of teenage conceptions in England. The principal aim of this programme is to reduce the number of teenage conceptions by supporting young people in deferring sexual activity and improving access to advice and counselling services, including contraception for those who are sexually active.