§ Mrs. Knightasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many National Health Service hospitals are using the "interception" method of abortion.
§ Sir K. JosephI know of three metropolitan teaching hospitals where a procedure of this kind is being undertaken on a research basis and in accordance with the provisions of the Abortion Act.
§ Mr. David Steelasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many abortions have been carried out on women resident in England and Wales in each of the years 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972 and in the first half of 1973; what has been the percentage increase in each year; and what is the estimated increase for 1973.
77W
§ Mr. AlisonAbortions notified in respect of women resident in England and Wales were as follows:
Abortions in year Number Percentage increase over previous year 1969 49,829 — 1970 75,962 52 1971 94,570 24 1972 108,565 15 1973 (1st half) 57,490* 8 *Provisional
§ Mr. Leslie Huckfieldasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the median duration of stay in hospital by National Health Service patients under-going abortion, with and without sterilisation, respectively; and what was the figure in each case for 1970, 1971 and 1972, respectively.
§ Mr. AlisonThe median durations of stay in hospital of National Health Service patients undergoing abortion operations without sterilisation were as follows:
Days 1970 3.6 1971 3.1 1972 2.8 Notifications of abortions are made within seven days of the operation and they therefore do not record the exact duration of longer periods in hospital. As in each of the years 1970 to 1972 more than half the abortion patients who were sterilised remained in hospital over seven days the median duration of stay must be more than this but it cannot be calculated exactly.