§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will take steps to ensure that impartial information on abortion and early motherhood is made available to pupils in schools as a part of their sex education. [144188]
§ Jacqui SmithIn July 2000 we issued new sex and relationship education guidance for schools. The guidance explains that secondary schools should teach, among other things, about the responsibilities and the consequences of becoming a young parent and the arguments for delaying sexual activity. It also emphasises that there are strongly held views and religious beliefs about abortion and that the religious convictions of pupils and their parents should be respected.
The guidance also makes it clear that teaching throughout this area of the curriculum should be impartial and should not be influenced by teachers' own beliefs and attitudes.