§ Mr. AltonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what methods her Department uses to confirm that the number of abortions reported to her Department by private abortion clinics is the actual number of abortions performed at that clinic.
§ Mr. Sackville[holding answer 13 July 1992]: Section 1(3) of the Abortion Act 1967 requires the medical practitioner performing the termination, not the approved place, to notify the chief medical officer. Procedures for certification and notification of termination of pregnancy are checked by the Department's officers during the course of unannounced inspection visits. Any inconsistencies revealed are fully investigated.
§ Mr. AltonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will detail the procedures followed by her Department when abortion notification forms are received which do not state the medical condition of the mother.
§ Mr. Sackville[holding answer 13 July 1992] : The chief medical officer returns the notification form—HSA4—to the operating doctor with a request that the medical condition should be completed.