§ Mr. AltonTo ask the Secretary of State for Hearth what information his Department has on the links between abortion and subsequent sterility or reproductive complications.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyThe most recent information that the Department has comes from a major study we have funded of the short and long-term sequelae of abortion. The researchers, who have presented some of their recent findings orally at conferences have concluded that overall, abortion was not materially related to future fertility. However, the findings showed lower fertility in women who had induced abortion in their first pregnancy, as measured in the time it took to conceive again. It was also shown that induced abortion does not increase the risk of non-viable outcome, decreased birthweight of the baby or shortened gestation in the subsequent pregnancy, although certain features of the abortion operation may affect the outcome.
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§ Mr. AltonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the cost to the national health service over the last year for which figures are available of(a) abortions performed within the national health service, (b) abortions contracted out by the national health service, (c) pre-abortion counselling and preparation, (d) post-abortion counselling, (e) treatment following abortions and (f) other costs associated with abortion in the national health service.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyThe estimated revenue cost of a straightforward abortion as an in-patient in a national health service hospital is £250 in 1989–90 prices. The other information is not collected centrally.