§ Mr. Roger EvansTo ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the review of current arrangements for approving and monitoring places under the Abortion Act 1967, as amended, has been completed; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. SackvilleFurther to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Bosworth (Mr. Tredinnick) on 18 January 1994,Official Report, column 531. The review of current arrangements for approving and monitoring non-national health service premises under the Abortion Act 1967, as amended, has been completed. Conditions that have to be met for approval—known as assurances—have been updated and brought together with other guidance in a single document, known as the compendium of guidance. Copies will be placed in the Library shortly.
The approval period for non-NHS premises carrying out termination of pregnancy has been extended from two years to four years. All non-NHS premises approved under the Abortion Act 1967 will continue to be subject to monitoring and inspection by medical, nursing and administrative officials from the Department of Health, and will also be subject to the requirements of the Registered Homes Act 1984. Proprietors have been invited to seek 368W re-approval under these arrangements from 1 August 1994. Relevant extracts from the compendium will be sent to the NHS as guidance for those purchasing and providing termination of pregnancy treatment. The compendium of guidance includes assurances required of registered pregnancy advice bureaux.