§ Miss Richardsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what has been the abortion rate per 1,000 fertile women in England and Wales in each year since the introduction of the Abortion Act 1967.
§ Dr. VaughanThe following figures show total numbers of abortions to women normally resident in England and Wales per 1,000 female population aged 15 to 44 years.
1968 3.6* 1969 5.4 1970 8.2 1971 10.1 1972 11.6 1973 11.7 1974 11.6 1975 11.2 1976 10.6 1977 10.6 1978 11.4 1979 12.0† *Equivalent annual rate based on eightmonths' abortions only, (27 April to 31 December). †Provisional.
§ Miss Richardsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what study he has made of the report published by the Birth Control Trust on the establishment and benefits of National Health Service day-care abortion units; if he will encourage more area health authorities to set up such units in the light of their 453W economical and social advantages; and if he will make a statement.
§ Dr. VaughanI have read the report with interest and have noted the conclusions. The Department has commended the use of day care facilities to health authorities, but the provision of such services is a matter for individual authorities to consider in the light of local needs and priorities and the availability of resources.