HL Deb 27 January 1988 vol 492 c715WA
Lord Houghton of Sowerby

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What evidence they possess or have received from the BBC relating to the alleged scandal reported in BBC news bulletins on 4th January 1988 of unlawful abortions being undertaken solely on the grounds of the sex of the unborn child.

Lord Skemersdale

The department has received no evidence to support these allegations. Following the programme, we asked the BBC if it would pass on any evidence about these allegations so that these could be investigated. The BBC has indicated that the information on which the programme was based was given under a guarantee of anonymity. It therefore felt unable to respond to the department's request.