§ Mrs. FyfeTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if the medical grounds for abortion in Northern Ireland extend to(a) foetal abnormality and (b) rape, incest or sexual assault. [64776]
§ Mr. IngramWhile the law on abortion in Northern Ireland does not extend specifically to cover(a) foetal abnormality or (b) rape, incest or sexual assault, therapeutic terminations can be carried out in both these categories where in the doctors' judgment, there is serious risk to the physical or mental health of the mother.
§ Mrs. FyfeTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what percentage of conceptions in the latest year for which figures are available ended in recorded spontaneous abortion. [64777]
§ Mr. McFallInformation on the total number of conceptions is not collected centrally. There are currently no plans to do so in the future.
§ Mrs. FyfeTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many of the abortions recorded in Northern Ireland in 1997–98 were classified as(a) spontaneous abortions and (b) induced or medical abortions. [64778]
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§ Mr. McFallOf the abortions which took place in Northern Ireland hospitals in 1997–98, 1,594 were recorded as spontaneous and 77 as medical or induced abortions.
§ Mrs. FyfeTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will issue guidelines to general practitioners, obstetricians and gynaecologists(a) on the grounds under which termination of pregnancy may be carried out and (b) on referring women who qualify for a legal abortion under the terms of the Abortion Act 1967 to hospitals or clinics in those parts of the UK where the Act applies. [64779]
§ Mr. McFallThere are no plans to issue such guidelines in Northern Ireland.