HC Deb 28 November 1983 vol 49 cc350-1W
Mr. Greenway

asked the Lord Privy Seal how many petitions containing how many signatures on the subject of the guidelines to doctors for prescribing contraceptives to under 16-year olds without parental consent and had been presented to the House by 22 November; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Biffen

A total of 518 petitions had been presented by 22 November. It is no longer the practice of the House to count signatures to petitions. I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services. [Vol. 48, c. 174.]