§ Mr. Wintertonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) how many abortions were performed under the National Health Service in Cheshire in 1973; and if she will list the number in each hospital in the county and how this compares with 1972;
(2) how many abortions were performed in private clinics in Cheshire in 1973; and if she will list the numbers at each clinic and how this compares with 1972.
§ Dr. OwenAbortions carried out in the administrative county of Cheshire and the associated county boroughs of Birkenhead, Chester, Stockport and Wallasey under the Abortion Act 1967 were as follows:
1972 1973 In National Health Service hospitals 383 448 In other approved establishment* 43 — * Deleted from 1st July 1972. The detail by individual hospitals and registered nursing homes requested would be inconsistent with the provisions of Regulation 5 of the Abortion Regulations 1968 which were designed to preserve confidentiality.