HC Deb 21 January 1992 vol 202 c142W
16. Mr. Alton

To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he will review the workings of the conscience clause of the Abortion Act 1967.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

In response to the concern expressed to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State about the position of ancillary staff such as porters, hospital managers have been asked to apply the principle of section 4 of the Abortion Act—"the conscience clause" —to any member of this group who expresses a conscientious objection to direct participation in the handling of fetuses and fetal tissue.