§ Mr. Biggs-Davisonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether operations for the reversal of vasectomy are available under the National Health Service.
§ Sir K. JosephIf such treatment were considered by a doctor to be necessary it could be provided under the National Health Service. However, I am advised that there can be no guarantee that vasectomy can be reversed in any particular case although it might be technically possible in at most about 50 per cent. of cases. That is why I attach so much importance to adequate counselling of prospective vasectomy patients to ensure they understand the position as to irreversibility of the operation and its implications and to identify any reason why it might not be suitable. I regard vasectomy as an operation generally for men who are married (or who have a stable union) and have completed their families and would expect cases in which reversal of the operation is sought to be rare.