HC Deb 29 October 1992 vol 212 cc842-3W
Mrs. Ann Winterton

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what guidance is issued by her Department to doctors about the techniques which should be adopted in performing those late abortions which are now available until full term; and if she will make a statement;

(2) what guidance her Department has issued to doctors about the use of potassium chloride injections to perform late abortions; and if she will make a statement.

Mr. Sackville

Decisions as to the method by which an abortion is carried out are a matter for the clinical judgment of the operating doctor, taking into account the circumstances of the particular case.

Mrs. Ann Winterton

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information she has concerning the methods currently adopted in performing those late abortions which take place beyond 24 weeks; and if she will make a statement.

Mr. Sackville

The notification form which has to be sent to the chief medical officer in respect of each legal abortion requires the practitioner terminating the pregnancy to give details of the method used.

Mrs. Ann Winterton

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make it her policy to ensure that RU486 is available only under the provisions of the Abortion Act 1967.

Mr. Sackville

Use of RU486 to terminate a pregnancy outside the terms of the Abortion Act 1967, as amended, would be an offence.

Mr. Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the RU486 pill will be available for general practitioners to prescribe; and if she will make a statement.

Mr. Thurnham

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will use the discretionary powers in section 37(3) of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990 to license additional premises, such as community family planning clinics near hospitals, for prescription of mifepristone; and if she will make a statement.

Mr. Sackville

We have no current plans to extend use of this abortifacient drug to places other than national health service hospitals or private sector clinics approved under section 1(3) of the Abortion Act 1967, as amended.