§ Mr. DuffyTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what has been the total number of abortions, under the terms of the Abortion Act 1967, in the Sheffield health authority area for each of the last seven years for which figures are available; how many of these abortions were performed on ground 4 where there is a substantial risk that if the child were born it would suffer from such physical or mental abnormalities as to be seriously handicapped; and how many of these abortions were performed on ground 5 to save the life of the pregnant woman.
§ Mr. NewtonThe information requested is given in the table.
Notifications of abortions carried out under the Abortion Act 1967 to usual residents of Sheffield health areas, by selected grounds 1980–1986 Area of usual residence All grounds Ground 4 Ground 5 Sheffield area health authority 1980 1,299 16 — 1981 1,317 22 — 1982 1,322 21 — Sheffield district health authority 1983 1,308 22 — 1984 1,398 29 — 1985 1,402 17 — 1986 1,486 10 —