§ 8. Mr. BurtTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement outlining the process for obtaining consent for a general anaesthetic in order for an abortion to be performed on a girl aged under 16 years, if that girl has asked that her parents are not informed.
§ Mr. FreemanIn the circumstances described, written consent may be obtained from the patient herself if, in the judgment of the doctor concerned, it is in her best medical interest and she has sufficient maturity and understanding to appreciate what is involved.
§ 14. Mr. Nicholas BennettTo ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he has any plans to meet representatives of the Islamic Medical Association, the Caring Professions Concern, or the Catholic Doctors Guild to discuss the working of the conscience clause of the Abortion Act 1967.
§ Mr. FreemanNo requests for a meeting have been received.
§ 15. Mr. EvennettTo ask the Secretary of State for Health when he last paid an official visit to(a) a National Health Service abortion centre and (b) a private abortion centre; and what was the purpose of that visit.
§ Mr. FreemanMy colleagues and I make frequent visits to NHS and private hospitals for various purposes. To date, three visits to NHS hospitals which carry out abortions took place this month.
The most recent ministerial visit to a private hospital which is also approved under the Abortion Act 1967, took place in July 1988 and was by way of a general interest visit to see the hospital and the facilities offered.
§ 61. Mr. Ken HargreavesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the most common technique used in the performing of late abortions in private clinics; and what this technique involves.
§ Mr. FreemanI refer my hon. Friend to my reply to my hon. Friends the Members for Erith and Crayford (Mr. Evennett) and for Batley and Spen (Mrs. Peacock) on 24 January at column531.
§ 71. Mr. McAvoyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement outlining the specific action which has so far been taken to implement the recommendations of the 1973 Select Committee on abortion.
§ Mr. FreemanI assume that the hon. Member is referring to the reports of the Lane committee on the working of the Abortion Act in 1974 and of the Select Committee on the Abortion (Amendment) Bill in 1975 and 1976. Most of their recommendations have been implemented by administrative means,. The operation of the 1967 Act continues to be monitored closely.
73. Mr. Robert G. HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he has any plans to introduce new regulations or legislation to curb the growing level of advertising by abortion charities in newspapers.
§ Mr. FreemanAll advertisements placed by registered pregnancy advice bureaux are subject to the approval of the Secretary of State and further controls are not considered necessary at this time.