§ Mr. Brayasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many abortions were carried out by National Health Service hospitals in England and Wales for the years 1968, 1969, 1970 and 1971; what was the number of medical and hospital staff required for this purpose; and what is his estimate of the cost including administration overheads for each year.
§ Sir K. JosephThe information asked for in the first part of the question is:
1968 14,560 1969 33,728 1970 47,678 1971 53,706 The statistical and costing information collected centrally does not enable the staff engaged on abortions or the cost of abortions to be separately identified.
§ Mr. Brayasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the ratio of known abortions to live births registered in England and Wales for the years 1969, 1970 and 1971.
§ Sir K. JosephThe ratios of legal abortions to live births in 1969, 1970 and 1971 for women resident in England and Wales were 0.063, 0.097 and 0.121 respectively.