§ 61. Mr. Tom Boardmanasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many pregnancies have been terminated under the provisions of the Abortion Act, 1967, from the 28th March, 1968, to the latest date up to which figures are avail able; and what proportion of these were carried out under the National Health Service.
§ Mr. CrossmanFrom 27th April, 1968, when the Abortion Act came into operation, to 25th February last, the number of abortions notified was 28,849, of which about 60 per cent. were carried out in National Health Service hospitals.
§ 62. Mr. Tom Boardmanasked the Secretary of State for Social Services, whether he is aware that doctors' and clinic fees in excess of £100 are being charged for the termination of pregnancies under the Abortion Act, 1967, in cases where the patient is detained in the clinic for less than three hours; and if he will introduce legislation to provide that neither of the certifying doctors shall be permitted to charge a fee for performing the operation.
§ Mr. CrossmanI assume that the hon. Member is referring to terminations undertaken in private clinics which are approved places under the Act. The fees payable there depend on private arrangements between doctor and patient and I have no proposals for legislation on the lines suggested.