§ Lord Braine of Wheatleyasked Her Majesty's Government:
What has been the total number of abortions performed since 1968 to date; how many were performed to save the life of the mother and what percentage this represents of total abortions performed.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Baroness Cumberlege):The total number of abortions carried out under the Abortion Act in England, Wales and Scotland on residents and non-residents from 1968 to 1993 was 4,140,973. During this period 146 abortions (0.003 per cent.) were performed in an emergency, certified by the operating practitioner as immediately necessary, to save the life of the woman. A further 39,279 abortions (0.95 per cent.) were notified under the grounds that the continuance of the pregnancy would involve risk to the life of the pregnant woman greater than if the pregnancy were terminated.