HC Deb 14 March 1988 vol 129 c465W
Ms. Ruddock

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list the number of abortions under nine weeks gestation, between nine and 12 weeks, between 13 and 16 weeks and over 16 weeks performed on women resident in each regional health authority and each district health authority area in England and Wales for the latest 12-month period for which figures are available.

Mr. Newton

I regret that the exact information requested can be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, data on gestation period for usual residents of district health authorities are currently being produced for 1986, which the hon. Member may find useful, and I will place these in the Library when they become available.

Ms. Ruddock

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list the numbers of abortions performed on women in each regional health authority and district health authority in England and Wales, expressed(a) in age bands, numerically and as a percentage of the total number and (b) by grounds, expressed numerically and as a proportion of the total number, for the latest 12-month period for which figures are available.

Mr. Newton

I regret that the exact information requested can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Statistics are not released for district health authority of termination, but table 24 of abortion statistics does show the age distribution for usual residents of regional and district health authorities. A copy of this publication for 1986 may be found in the Library.