§ 37. Mr. Hooleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what further action is contemplated in the matter of the sterilisation of children under the age of 16 years in the light of replies to her discussion paper issued on 31st October 1975.
§ Dr. OwenAs I said in my reply to my hon. Friend on 23rd February, we had asked organisations to submit their views on the discussion paper by the end of February if possible. To date a total of 246 replies have been received but replies are still awaited from several organisations including some representing professions who would be expected to be closely involved in decisions about the sterilisation of children under 16. We are asking them to let us have their views as quickly as possible.
Meanwhile the analysis by the Department of the replies received on this complex issue is proceeding.—[Vol. 906, c. 49–50.]