§ Mr. Hooleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what response she has received to her invitation to medical and social and other bodies to comment on safeguards necessary in cases where the sterilisation of a child under 16 years of age is proposed; and if she will make a statement
§ Dr. OwenThe discussion paper which was prepared by the Department on the issue of guidance on this matter was issued on 31st October 1975. It was sent to a wide variety of organisations, a total of 62 in all, including those representing the professions likely to be involved, to organisations representing women, children and the mentally handicapped and also to the 207 community health councils in England. These organisations were invited to submit their views on the discussion paper. The paper was also sent to various other Government Departments and to health authori-50W ties for information and for comments if they wished to make any.
Several organisations reported that they would be unable to submit views by 31st January 1976 as requested and have been asked to do so by the end of February if possible. To date, we have received 208 replies submitting comments, including 141 from community health councils, a number from local branches of national organisations and those of my hon. Friend.