§ Mr. Dempseyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the minimum, maximum and average charge, respectively, to foreign women who have had abortions carried out in the United Kingdom under the National Health Service.
§ Mr. CrossmanI would refer my hon. Friend to my reply to his Question on 1st December. No charges are made for abortions carried out under the National Health Service. For a woman seeking this treatment in a National Health Service hospital as a private patient the daily hospital charge would differ according to the class of hospital and type of accommodation occupied. The minimum charge would be £7 10s. a day and the24W maximum £11 15s. a day in hospitals in England and Wales. In addition a fee would be payable to the doctor treating her privately. Hospital charges for private patients in Scotland are determined by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland.—[Vol. 792, c. 208–9]