§ Mr. Teddy Taylorasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many experiments on foetuses were carried out in Scottish hospitals in the most recent year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement on the circumstances in which such experiments are permitted.
§ Mr. MillanInformation on biomedical research activities is held centrally only in cases where the research concerned is being carried out with support from the Chief Scientist's Office. No projects financed in this way are currently being carried out in Scotland in relation to aborted foetuses or foetal material.
Research involving foetuses in which life was extant after birth does not avoid the provisions of the Anatomy and Human Tissue Acts and maternal consent is a necessary element. Where, however, the foetus is under 28 weeks old—as in 99 per cent. of induced abortions—and does not exhibit signs of life following the abortion or miscarriage, research is not affected by any provisions in law. Research is, however, subject to any views expressed by the mother and to control by local ethical committees which are responsible for the general oversight of medical research.
§ Mr. Teddy Taylorasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will take steps to ensure that women undertaking abortions are permitted to require that no experiments are carried out on foetuses removed from them.
603W
§ Mr. MillanWomen who elect to have an abortion are able to indicate any wishes they may have regarding disposal of the aborted foetus.