HC Deb 01 August 1978 vol 955 c267W
Mr. Anthony Grant

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the number of illegitimate live births to mothers under 16 and 16 to 19 years of age, respectively, in England and Wales in the years 1976, 1977 and up to the latest convenient date in 1978.

Mr. Moyle

The number of illegitimate live births in England and Wales to women under 16 and 16 to 19 were:

Under 16 16 to 19
1976 1,414 18,405
1977 1,281 18,761
March quarter 1978 330 4,787

The figures for 1977 and March quarter 1978 are provisional.

NUMBER OF LEGAL ABORTIONS CARRIED OUT IN ENGLAND AND WALES 1976–78
Residents Non-residents Total
Under 16 16–19 Under 16 16–19 Under 16 16–19
1976 … 3,425 23,963 410 4,954 3,835 28,917
1977 … 3,624 24,591 443 5,174 4,067 29,765
1978* (6 months only) … 1,645 12,799 N/A N/A N/A N/A
* Provisional numbers notified for first six months of 1978.