§ Mr. Nicholas BennettTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the latest evidence he has as to medical and public opinion in Northern Ireland on the legalisation of abortion.
§ Mr. Needham[holding answer 15 July 1988]: The policy of the British Medical Association which represents a large proportion of doctors in the Province is to support the extension of the Abortion Act 1967 to Northern Ireland. However reports in the professional journals indicate that proposals for such an extension would not command the support of a significant number of Northern Ireland doctors. Public opinion as reflected by the views of the main political parties and Churches has consistently been opposed to the extension of the Abortion Act 1967 to Northern Ireland.