§ Mr. RosindellTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what plans he has to reduce the number of abortions in the London borough of Havering; [129048]
(2) how many abortions were performed in the London borough of Havering in each year from 1997 to 2002. [129051]
§ Mr. HuttonThe Government are taking a number of steps through the National Strategy for Sexual Health and HIV and the Teenage Pregnancy Strategy to help 835W reduce the number of abortions. We are also working to improve access to contraceptive services and the range of methods of contraception that are available and will be making £1 million available this year to support this. We are also working with the Department for Education and Skills to improve sex and relationships education.
The number of abortions performed on residents of Havering local authority is shown in the table. The data are not available by local authority prior to 1995 and have therefore been shown by health authority, district health authority, and health district which includes data for residents of neighbouring local authority areas. Data for 2002 will be available from autumn 2003.
Numbers of abortions to residents of Havering local authority, 1995–20011,2 Year Number 2001 862 2000 828 1999 838 1998 815 1997 757 1996 737 1995 691 1994 31,288 1993 31,350 1992 41,557 1991 41,703 1990 41,777 1989 41,839 1988 41,750 1987 41,618 1986 41,435 1985 41,477 1984 41,435 1983 41,308 1982 57 69 1981 5708 1980 31,220 1979 31,245 1978 31,029 1977 3989 1976 3933 1Prior to 1995 records were allocated by postcode to ward and then stored by health authority or district health authority. Data for 2002 will be available from autumn 2003.
2 The information provided for 1976–94 is for areas that include abortions performed on residents of Havering local authority.
3 Barking, Havering and Brentwood district health authority.
4 Barking and Havering health authority.
5 Havering health district.