HC Deb 03 December 1975 vol 901 cc606-7W
Mr. Wigley

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what proportion of those who have abortions are estimated subsequently to be sterile.

Dr. Owen

For 10 per cent. of the women who have an abortion, the termination of pregnancy is accompanied by a sterilising operation at the time of the operation or immediately afterwards; the percentage is highest for married women for whom it is 25 per cent.

A prospective study of the long-term effects of therapeutic abortion in this country is being financed by the Department and conducted by the Royal College of General Practitioners Research Unit, but it will be some time before results become available.