§ Mrs. HealTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what provisions exist for advising on unplanned pregnancies for the under-25s;
(2) if he will make a statement on the provisions for the teaching of sex education for young people.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyLong–standing guidance to the NHS draws attention to the need for separate, informal family planning services for young people, with staff experienced in dealing with the particular needs of this group and their problems. New guidelines on family planning service provision, issued by the NHS management executive in January, remind health authorities of the special needs of young people and draw on the findings of a study funded by the Department into the family planning and counselling needs of young people. NHS provision in this area is complemented by the work of a number of voluntary organisations, which receive financial support from public funds, such as the Family Planning Association and Brook Advisory Centres. These organisations produce a range of information material for young people. The provision of sex education in schools is a matter for my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science.