HC Deb 02 March 1978 vol 945 cc387-8W
Miss Richardson

asked the Secretary of State for the Social Services whether, in cases where a man undergoes an operation for a vasectomy, the permission of his wife is sought first.

Mr. Moyle

There is no legal requirement that a wife must give her consent before her husband undergoes an operation for vasectomy, but my Department has advised health authorities that it endorses the advice given to its members by the Medical Defence Union that the wife's agreement should be obtained if the couple are living together. Such agreement helps to ensure that both parties fully share decisions on the methods of family planning they adopt and to reduce the risk of subsequent regret by either party.

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