§ Mr. Biggs-Davisonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will institute a reassessment in the Department, in the light of the official figures showing a considerable decline in the birth rate, of the Government's policy on abortion and free contraception.
§ Dr. OwenThe Committee on the Working of the Abortion Act examined the evidence relating to the demographic aspects of therapeutic abortion but considered that no firm conclusions could be reached in the absence of reliable statistics of illegal abortions.
It recommended further research into this and related matters. I am at present awaiting the results of wide-ranging consultations on the committee's report.
The primary purpose of developing family planning services has been to enable people to avoid unplanned pregnancies
Man (p) Woman (p) Boy (p) Girl (p) Employed person 15.8 12.5 7.9 7.9 Employer 8.3 8.3 8.3 8.3 Self-employed person and non-employed person 16.7 13.3 8.8 8.8