§ Ms. HarmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will make a statement about the future of the family planning services provided by district health authorities;
(2) whether he has plans to require all district health authorities to make sterilisation and vasectomy operations available on the National Health Service;
(3) if he plans to issue a circular to district health authorities about family planning services.
713W
§ Mr. NewtonThe principles underlying the 1974 memorandum of guidance on family planning services in the NHS continue to reflect Government policy, and we have no plans to issue new guidance. The memorandum includes advice on the availability of male and female sterilisation on family planning as well as medical grounds, and asks health authorities to ensure that those with a priority need for the operation are enabled to receive it quickly.
§ Ms. HarmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list district health authorities which are currently reducing the family planning services they provide.
§ Mr. NewtonI refer the hon. Member to my reply to the right hon. Member for Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale (Mr. Steel) on 15 March at column548.