§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what level of provision of vasectomy and sterilisation operations he requires of individual health authorities.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyHealth authorities were advised in guidance contained in the 1974 memorandum of guidance on family planning (HSC(IS)32), which is still current, that male and female sterilisation operations should be available under the national health service both for family planning and medical reasons, a copy of which is available in the Library. The priority given to these operations generally is a matter for health authorities to determine in the light of clinical judgment and local needs and circumstances.