HC Deb 10 November 1969 vol 791 cc15-6W
Mr. Dempsey

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what were the total number of abortions carried out in public and private health clinics in the years prior to and immediately after the passing of the recent Abortion Act.

Mr. Crossman

The latest estimate is that 9,700 therapeutic abortions were carried out in National Health Service hospitals in 1967; the number undertaken in private establishments is not known. 22,509 abortions were notified for National Health Service hospitals and 15,140 for approved places during the first full year's operation of the Abortion Act.

These figures relate to England and Wales.

Mr. Dempsey

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what were the Triumph Company, the Rover Company, the Vauxhall Company, the Girling Company, the Greater London Council dustmen and the dockers of London and Liverpool during the last 12 months.

Mr. O'Malley

The table below shows the estimated cost and number of payments made during the industrial disputes to which the hon. Member refers. There were no disputes leading to claims for supplementary benefit at the London docks.

minimum and maximum charges approved by his regulations for individual abortions; and what were the number and nationalities of foreign women who underwent abortions prior to and immediately after the passing of the recent Abortion Act.

Mr. Crossman

I have no powers to regulate these charges. In the first full year's operation of the Act 2,265 abortions in England and Wales were notified for women usually resident abroad, as follows:

West Germany 1,076
United States of America 481
Canada 236
France 138
Holland 86
Others 248
2,265

I regret that comparable information for the period before the Act is not available.