HL Deb 08 February 1978 vol 388 cc1160-1WA
Lord HOUGHTON of SOWERBY

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What steps are being taken to repeal the first part of Section 58 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861; namely:

"Every Woman, being with Child, who, with Intent to procure her own Miscarriage, shall unlawfully administer to herself any Poison or other noxious Thing, or shall unlawfully use any Instrument or other Means whatsoever with the like Intent … shall be liable, at the Discretion of the Court, to be kept in Penal Servitude for Life or for any Term not less than Three Years, or to be imprisoned for any Term not exceeding Two years, with or without Hard Labour, and with or without Solitary Confinement."

Lord HARRIS of GREENWICH

We have no present plans to seek the repeal of this provision.