HC Deb 14 July 1969 vol 787 cc20-1W
Mr. Brooks

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many operations for therapeutic sterilisation were carried out on men and women respectively, in National Health Service hospitals in 1966, 1967 and 1968.

Mr. Crossman

From the 10 per cent. sample Hospital In-Patient Inquiry, it is estimated that the following numbers of therapeutic sterilisation took place in 1966:—

Male Female Comment
410 Medically necessary for the health of the man.
5,180 After delivery or abortion.
3,900 Division and litigation of the fallopian tubes.
410 9,080
In addition, female sterilisation was effected in a proportion of 52,600 cases of hysterectomy where sterilisation would not have been the primary purpose of the operation.

Comparable figures for later years are not available.

Forward to