§ Miss Richardsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many prosecutions there have been under the Abortion Act since 1973; how many and what charges have been brought; how many persons convicted; and what penalties were imposed.
§ Mr. Geoffrey FinsbergThere have been five prosecutions, involving 108 summonses since 1973 for failure to give notice of termination of a pregnancy as required by regulation 4(1) of the Abortion Regulations 1968 (as amended), (contrary to section 2(1)(b) and 2(3) of the Abortion Act 1967). Four of those prosecuted were convicted. The penalties imposed were: 495W
- i. absolute discharge plus £75 costs;
- ii. £2,100 fine plus £100 costs;
- iii. £650 fine plus £200 costs;
- iv. £fine plus £fine plus £50 costs;
One case, involving 15 summonses, was not proceeded with.
§ Miss. Richardsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) how many staff are employed to supervise the non-National Health Service sector of abortion provision; what their job titles are; at what salary grades they are employed; and what the total salary bill for the last five years has been for each year;
(2) how supervision of the non-National Health Service sector of the abortion field compares with the supervision of the private sector in general, in terms of: (a) annual yearly expenditure over the last five years and (b) total salary bill for the period.
§ Mr. Geoffrey FinsbergThe information requested could not be obtained for the last five years without disproportionate expense.
In 1981 one senior investigator—senior executive officer grade—and three investigators—higher executive officer grade—were employed specifically to supervise the private sector of abortion, at a total salary bill of approximately £42,000. A number of administrative, medical, nursing and legal staff also engage in this work as a part of their wider duties at a further salary bill in 1981
North Staffordshire Health District Year Urgent Non-Urgent Total All Cares All cases Cases on List for over one month All cases Cases on List for over one month 1980 321 258 9,447 3,584 9,768 Data on average waiting times is not collected.