HC Deb 09 November 1972 vol 845 cc252-3W
Mr. David Steel

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many legal abortions were performed in England and Wales in 1971 on single women, married women and other women resident in England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, the Irish Republic, Channel Islands and the Isle of Man, respectively; and how many of these were performed in National Health Service hospitals.

Mr. Alison

The figures asked for could be produced only after a considerable amount of further work. The available information is as follows:

LEGAL ABORTIONS PERFORMED IN ENGLAND AND WALES DURING 1971 DISTINGUISHING THE NUMBERS PERFORMED IN NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE HOSPITALS
(1) By marital status
Marital status All premises National Health Service hospitals
Single women 61,036 19,573
Married women 55,358 28,513
Widowed, divorced, separated women 10,252 5,538
Not stated marital status 131 82
All women 126,777 53,706
(2) By usual place of residence
Place of residence All premises National Health Service hospitals
England 89,772 49,674
Wales 4,798 3,781
Scotland 524 17
Northern Ireland 648 28
Irish Republic 577 17
Channel Islands and Isle of Man 216 26
Other countries 30,242 163
All places 126,777 53,706