§ Mr. AltonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what information he has as to the prevalance of the practice of killing unborn babies prior to abortion after 18 weeks by injecting a saline solution into the womb; and whether this is in accordance with best practice as set out in guidance to abortionists by his Department;
(2) what information he has as to the prevalance of the practice of killing unborn babies prior to abortion after 18 weeks by injecting urea into the womb; and whether this is in accordance with best practice as set out in guidance to abortionists by his Department.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyThe method of termination used in a particular case is a matter for the doctor concerned.
407WThe available information is that in England and Wales in 1988, 2,501 abortions were carried out in which the use of urea was reported and 13 were carried out in which the use of saline was reported in conjunction with prostaglandins.