§ Mr. Greenwayasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if, in the light of the Court of Appeal's decision of 20 December in the Gillick case, he has any plans to introduce legislation requiring general practitioners to inform parents before they prescribe contraceptives for girls under the age of consent; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeFollowing the judgment by the Court of Appeal, the position in law is that, except in an emergency or with the leave of a court, a doctor or other health professional must obtain parental consent before prescribing contraceptives to a girl under 16. We have announced our intention to appeal against the judgment, and it would be premature to consider legislation before the House of Lords has given its decision on the appeal.