§ Mr. Cormackasked the Secretary of State for Social Service if she can now state when she expects to publish the Lane Report on the Working of the Abortion Act.
§ Dr. OwenThe report of the Committee on the Working of the Abortion Act is published today.
§ Mr. Weitzmanasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether she will make a statement on the report of the Committee on the Working of the Abortion Act.
§ Mrs. CastleThe report has been published today (Cmnd. 5579) and copies are available in the Vote Office. My right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland and Wales and I are giving the report careful consideration. The committee's report provides a detailed analysis of the working of the Abortion Act and we are writing to a number of interested organisations inviting them to submit comments on the recommendations it contains. I would also welcome comments submitted within the next three months from any organisation not specifically invited to do so.
I should like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude and that of my colleagues to Dame Elizabeth Lane and her committee for the time and thought they have given to the important issues dealt with in their report.