HC Deb 15 January 1987 vol 108 cc299-300W
Mr. Peter Bruinvels

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish the number of abortions carried out in each health authority area for each of the past five years and to date; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Newton

The numbers of legal abortions to women resident in each regional and each district health authority in England and Wales are published in table 24 of "Abortion Statistics, series AB Nos. 8–12", copies of which are in the Library.

Figures on the numbers of legal abortions performed in Wales and in each regional health authority in England to women resident in the United Kingdom are shown in table 20 of the same publications. Statistics on the number of legal abortions carried out in each district health authority are not published for reasons of maintaining confidentiality.