§ Mr. St. John-Stevasasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions for illegal abortion have been carried out in each of the four 12-month periods since the Act came into operation on 27th April, 1968; in how many of these cases have mothers been prosecuted; and what is the average sentence imposed in these cases of imprisonment and of fines, repectively.
§ Mr. CarlisleSuch information as is available can be given only for complete calendar years. The numbers of males proceeded against for procuring abortion under Section 58 or 59 of the Offences against the Person Act, 1861, as amended by the Abortion Act, 1967, were 36 in 1968, 31 in 1969, 31 in 1970 and 20 in 1971. The figures for females were 39, 26, 21 and 14, respectively; statistics relating solely to mothers are not readily available.
I am arranging to obtain information about the average length of imprisonment and amounts of fine and shall write to my hon. Friend.
§ Mr. St. John-Stevasasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions for failure to notify the carrying out of abortions have been carried out in each of the four 12-month periods since the Abortion Act came into operation on 27th April, 1968.
§ Mr. CarlisleUp to the end of 1971 one person is known to have been pro-482W ceeded against in England and Wales under Section 2 of the Abortion Act, 1967.