HC Deb 16 October 1973 vol 861 cc26-7W
Mr. Jessel

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he can now say when he expects to receive and to publish the Lane Committee's Report into the working of the Abortion Act.

Sir Keith Joseph

We hope to receive its report before the end of the year and publication will follow.

Mr. Fortescue

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what arrangements he has made to ensure that women whose pregnancies have been legally terminated receive the after-care, both psychological and medical, which they are likely to need.

Mr. Alison

This is largely a professional matter but I would expect the normal arrangements to apply. These usually take the form of one or more postoperative checks and a letter to the patient's own doctor who will then decide what further action may be needed.

Dr. Miller

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many abortions notified in England and Wales in 1972 were performed on girls under 16 years of age; and what percentage this was of the total number of abortions in 1972.

Mr. Alison

3,320, that is, 2.1 per cent. of the total.

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