§ Ms PrimaroloTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he received the report on abortion law from the Standing Commission on Human Rights in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AncramMy right hon. Friend received the 18th annual report of the Standing Advisory Commission on Human Rights on 24 May 1993. The report includes a paper on Northern Ireland abortion law, which was subsequently published by the commission for consulta-tion which ended on 1 December. The commission is considering the replies.
§ Ms PrimaroloTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on how many occasions in each of the last five years an abortion ruled to be legal has not been performed because no doctor was available to carry out the operation; and if he will set out the circumstances of each case; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AncramI am aware of one such case in which an application by "K", a minor, was heard by Mr. Justice Sheil in the High Court in October 1993. If she so wishes, the hon. Member may apply for details of the case to the family division of the High Court of Justice in Northern Ireland.