§ Mr. J. Freemanasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORTS the number of convictions for performing or assisting at illegal operations in each of the years 1939, 1940, 1941, 1942, 1943 and 1944 under the following headings: convictions of male qualified medical practitioners, female qualified medical practitioners, unqualified males and unqualified females, respectively.
§ Mr. Ede:The following statement shows the number of qualified medical practitioners and unqualified persons convicted for performing or assisting at illegal operations, or procuring abortion, during the years 1939–1944.
Year Number of Convictions Qualified Medical Practitioners. Unqualified Persons. 1939— With Instruments 12 44 2 — 10 44 With Drugs 9 2 — — 9 2 Total 21 46 2 — 19 46 1940— With Instruments 19 27 1 — 18 27 With Drugs 2 5 — — 2 5 Total 21 32 1 — 20 32 1941— With Instruments 15 40 — — 15 40 With Drugs 6 5 — — 6 5 Total 21 45 — — 21 45 1942— With Instruments 23 69 2 — 21 69 With Drugs 2 9 — — 2 9 Total 25 78 2 — 23 78 1943— With Instruments 33 117 3 — 30 117 With Drugs 3 9 1 — 2 9 Total 36 126 4 — 32 126 1944— With Instruments 17 117 4 — 13 117 With Drugs 4 11 1 — 3 11 Total 21 128 5 — 16 128 Grand Total 145 455 14 — 131 455 600 14 586