§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what proposals he has to reduce the numbers of unwanted pregnancies. [56942]
§ Ms Jowell[holding answer 3 November 1998]: In November 1997, I announced the Government's commitment to reduce the rate of teenage conceptions and invited four individuals to make recommendations for the action which needs to be taken across four areas: sex and relationships education; counselling, advice and contraceptive services; vulnerable and hard to reach groups; and research. Their recommendations were received in the summer in a draft report drawn together by the Health Education Authority.
On 31 July, my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister asked the Social Exclusion Unit (SEU) to work with other Departments building on the work undertaken by the Department of Health to develop an integrated strategy to cut rates of teenage parenthood, particularly under-age parenthood, towards the European average and to propose better solutions to combat the risk of social exclusion for vulnerable teenage parents and their children, reporting to Ministers by December. The SEU is consulting widely to develop its recommendations. Copies of the consultation letter have been placed in the Library.
The Department is also in the process of reviewing existing guidance on the provision of family planning services to all age groups. This updated guidance will be produced early in the New Year and will be aimed at Primary Care Groups as well as health authorities. The Department also continues to fund the Contraceptive Education Service, which provides information for health professionals and the general public.