§ Mrs. Bridget PrenticeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what percentage of NHS abortions is provided through agency arrangements,(a) nationally and (b) for each district health authority;
(2) which district health authorities have agency arrangements for the provision of NHS abortions.
§ Mr. SackvilleThe information will be placed in the Library. For reasons of confidentiality, statistics for district health authorities are presented by DNA of woman's usual residence, not by DHA of termination.
Agency arrangements for provision of national health service abortions are agreed between individual DHAs and the private sector. They are set up to provide for the needs of the DHA's resident population. Central receipt of the notification of dates when agency arrangements come into effect, and when they are dissolved, can be subject to delay and therefore the figures should be interpreted with caution.