§ Mrs. FyfeTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how many abortions were carried out in Northern Ireland in the latest year for which figures are available; [56669]
(2) how many abortions were performed by each health and social services board in each of the past five years for which figures are available. [56670]
§ Mr. McFallThe table outlines the number of abortions performed in each Health and Social Board area in Northern Ireland in the years 1996–97 and 1997–98.
Number of abortions Health and Social Services Board 1996–97 1997–98 Eastern 782 706 Northern 368 336 Southern 369 315 Western 367 324 Total 1,886 1,681 The overwhelming majority of these abortions were classified as spontaneous abortions.
§ Mrs. FyfeTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on what grounds abortion can be performed in Northern Ireland(a) in the first and second trimester and (b) in the third trimester of pregnancy. [56671]
§ Mr. McFallThe law on abortion in Northern Ireland is governed by a combination of statute including the Offences Against the Person Act (1861), the Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland) Act 1945 and Case Law (R v. Bourne (1939)). Therapeutic terminations are carried out in Northern Ireland on strictly medical grounds (eg to save the life of the mother) irrespective of the stage of pregnancy.