§ 69. Mr. Abseasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will circularise the regional hospital boards about the need for counselling and psychiatric services to be available to all men seeking sterilisation operations; and whether he will draw the need of such screening services to the attention of all family planning organisations receiving state subsidies.
§ Mr. CrossmanMale sterilisation is performed under the National Health Service on clinical grounds. I am at present reviewing the position. I have no reason to think that doctors are unaware of the need for adequate counselling where this operation is proposed and I understand that this is also stressed by voluntary organisations concerned.