§ Mr. Cordleasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether, in the light of the views expressed in paragraph 279 of the Report of the Committee on the Working of the Abortion Act (Cmnd. 5579) and in view of the widespread public concern to avoid any possibility that a viable foetus might be destroyed in consequence of a purported therapeutic abortion, she will now bring forward legislation to impose a maximum gestational age of 24 weeks as a condition of legal abortion pursuant to the Abortion Act 1967.
154W
§ Dr. OwenI must make it clear that a viable foetus of whatever gestational age is protected by law; it is an offence to destroy a child capable of being born alive unless the operation is undertaken for the purpose only of preserving the life of the mother.
A number of proposals for an upper time limit for therapeutic abortion have been advanced, including one in the Lane Committee's Report and one in the Abortion (Amendment) Bill currently before the House. The Bill is being examined by a Select Committee of the House, which will no doubt take into account the various views expressed. The Government would wish, at this stage, to await the report of the Select Committee.