HC Deb 04 March 1994 vol 238 cc908-9W
Mr. Flynn

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many abortions in Wales were carried out because of(a) known or suspected foetal abnormality affecting the mother, (b) central nervous system malformation in the foetus since 1979 and (c) chromosomal abnormality in the foetus since 1979.

Mr. Gwilym Jones

Information on legal abortions in England and Wales, at the level of detail requested, has been published by the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys annually since 1984 according to area of residence —in "Abortion Statistics". To provide these data by the area in which the abortion took place would involve disproportionate cost. The numbers of residents of Wales having an abortion in the categories specified, in each year from 1984 to 1991, the most recent year available, are given in the table. Information for previous years is not readily available.

Less detailed information on the number of legal abortions carried out in Wales is published in "Health and Personal Social Services in Wales", copies of which are in the Library of the House.