§ Mr. IrvingTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services how many mentally handicapped women have had terminations during 1986; for what reason; and at what stage in the pregnancy.
§ Mr. NewtonI regret that information is not available in the exact form requested from the notification of932W abortions. However, the tables show for 1986 the number of notifications of abortion carried out under the Abortion Act 1967 where mental retardation of the woman was mentioned, by statutory grounds and gestation in completed weeks.
Number of notifications of abortion carried out under the Abortion Act 1967 where mental retardation of the woman was mentioned,gestation in completed weeks. Residents and non-residents. England and Wales 1986 Number Under 13 weeks 14 13 and over weeks 6 Total 20
Number of notifications of abortion carried out under the Abortion Act 1967 where mental retardation of the woman was mentioned, by statutory grounds. Residents and non-residents. England and Wales 1986 Number Grounds 2 (alone or with others)1 18 Other grounds 2 Total 20 1 Grounds 2: the continuance of the pregnancy would involve risk of injury to the physical or mental health of the pregnant woman greater than if the pregnancy were terminated.