HC Deb 29 October 1987 vol 121 cc410-1W
Mr. Nicholas Winterton

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what percentage of abortions on nonresident women in the latest year for which figures arc available were performed under ground 2 of the Abortion Act.

Mr. Newton

The information is shown in the table.

Percentage of abortions performed on non-resident women under Ground 2 of the 1967 Abortion Act, England and Wales 1986
Total notification of abortions to nonresident women Mentions of Ground 2 Percentage
(a) (b) (b) of (a)
24,667 24,633 99.9

Mr. Alton

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will list the numbers of abortions carried out at 18 weeks and over on non-resident and resident women together with the numbers and percentages of such women aged under 18 years, 18 to 40 years and over 40 years, for the last year for which figures are available;

(2) if he will list the numbers of abortions carried out below 18 weeks on non-resident and resident women, together with the numbers and percentages of such women aged under 18 years, 18 to 40 years and over 40 years, for the last year for which figures are available.

Mr. Newton

The information is shown in the table:

Notifications of Abortions performed in England and Wales on resident and non-resident Women by age of Mother and gestation weeks, 1986
Age of Mother (Years)
Total 0–17 18–40 41 and over Unknown
GESTATION WEEKS
Residents
All weeks number 147,619 18,378 125,886 3,333 22
Percentage 100 12.4 85.3 2.3 1
0–17 weeks
Number 143,025 17,440 122,322 3,241
Percentage 100 12.2 85.5 2.3
18 weeks and over
Number 4,594 938 3,564 92
Percentage 100 20.4 77.6 2
Non-residents
All weeks number 24,667 1,638 22,228 801
Percentage 100 6.6 90.1 3.3
0–17 weeks
Number 20,979 1,129 19,144 706
Percentage 100 5.4 91.3 3.4
18 weeks and over
Number 3,688 509 3,084 95
Percentage 100 13.8 83.6 2.6

Mr. Nicholas Winterton

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he has plans to seek to amend abortion legislation in the light of the report of the fourth conference of the International Right To Life Federation in Zagreb, a copy of which has been sent to him.

Mr. Newton

We have no plans to do so.