§ Mr. Thorntonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what are the methods which his Department employs to monitor the proper operation of the Abortion Act 1967; and if he is satisfied that these methods are successful.
§ Mr. Geoffrey FinsbergThe operation of the Abortion Act is monitored by the Department's medical, nursing and lay investigating staff through unannounced visits to registered pregnancy advice bureaux and nursing homes approved under the Abortion Act; the vetting of applications for registration or approval; and the investigation of all complaints and allegations of irregularities. In addition, all notifications of abortions made to the chief medical officer under the abortion regulations are scrutinised by staff authorised by him to ensure that they do not indicate any contravention of the abortion law. If it appears from a notification form or from any other information that an unlawful abortion might have been performed, the matter is, as appropriate, referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions for investigation. I have no reason to suppose that this machinery is not effective.