§ Mr. Thomas Coxasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what centers of refusal exist for nurses employed in National Health hospitals who do not wish to take part in abortion operations, and how they are informed of these centers.
§ Sir K. JosephSection 4 of the Abortion Act, 1967, frees a person from any duty to participate in treatment authorised by the Act to which he or she has a conscientious objection, except treatment necessary to save life or prevent grave permanent injury to health. The attention of hospital authorities was drawn to this provision in a memorandum of guidance issued in April, 1968; it is a matter of local arrangement how it is brought to the notice of all those concerned, including nurses.