§ Mr. David Steelasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if she will ensure that facilities are made available to permit all abortions which can be performed before the twelfth week of pregnancy to be performed and that steps 277W will be taken to ensure delays are avoided;
(2) if she will take steps to ensure that additional referral routes for abortion patients are made available where necessary;
(3) if she will set up a National Health Service hospital service review into the needs of women entitled to abortion;
(4) if she will request health authorities to review the standard of the abortion service they provide and where necessary improve it by appointing additional medical staff or providing new departments.
§ Dr. OwenWhether there is a need for additional facilities for treatment of termination of pregnancy within the NHS and what priority should be given to it are matters we shall be examining when the views of those consulted, which will include health authorities, have been received.
§ Mr. David Steelasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will take steps to ensure that confidentiality on abortion is respected.
§ Dr. OwenThe need for confidentiality applies in respect of all medical treatment and health authorities are conscious of their responsibilities in this area.
§ Mr. David Steelasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will satisfy herself that appropriate arrangements are being made for the disposal of aborted fœtuses and fœtal material.
§ Dr. OwenThis is a matter for the health authorities. I will see that their attention is drawn to the relevant comments in the Lane Report.
§ Mr. David Steelasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will ensure that therapeutic abortion in the National Health Service will remain administratively part of obstetrics and gynaecology.
§ Dr. OwenThis is one of the major recommendations of the Lane Committee set up by the previous Government and we shall be interested to receive the views of the professions concerned on this proposal.
§ Mrs. Knightasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps she 278W intends to take to curb abuses of the Abortion Act.
§ Dr. OwenMy right hon. Friend has two investigators, with police experience, who have been specifically appointed to carry out the supervision of private nursing homes approved by her under the Abortion Act. Unannounced visits are also made to these nursing homes by specialist medical and nursing staff. The proprietors of all nursing homes approved under the Abortion Act are required to give comprehensive assurances as to the conduct of their nursing homes and a breach of these assurances could lead to a withdrawal of approval.
The Lane Committee has made recommendations about further steps that should be considered and my right hon. Friend is seeking the views of interested bodies on its proposals. Legislation will be required to implement most of the recommendations identified by the committee in its report aimed at preventing potential or actual abuse.