§ Baroness Jay of Paddingtonasked Her Majesty's Government:
In which health districts in England and Wales are more than 75 per cent. of residents' abortions carried out in, or paid for, by the NHS as recommended by the Merrison Committee on the NHS in 1979; and
In which health districts are less than 40 per cent. of residents' abortions carried out in or paid for by the NHS, and what advice is the Secretary of State giving to Directors of Public Health in those districts to deal with this poor level of service.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Baroness Cumberlege)The information requested has been placed in the Library. Arrangements for the provision of NHS abortion services to meet the needs of the local population are the responsibility of individual health authorities.