§ Jim DobbinTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what evidence underlay the statement of his noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary that international research contradicted the claims made by Dr. David Paton of Nottingham university, in his paper on teenage pregnancy in theJournal of Health Economics, March 2002. [60265]
§ Ms BlearsThe social exclusion unit report on teenage pregnancy gathered evidence from the best available international research to inform the cross-Government teenage pregnancy strategy. That evidence is supported by more recent research which concludes that improved sex and relationship education and access to youth contraceptive clinics have been shown to reduce teenage pregnancy rates but do not hasten the onset of or increase sexual activity among young people.
Copies of the following relevant publications are available in the Library:
Emerging Answers: Research Findings on Programs to Reduce Teen Pregnancy".Factors Affecting Changes in Rates of Teenage Conceptions 1991 to 1997".Teenage Sexual and Reproductive Behaviour in Developed Countries. Can more progress be made?Why is Teenage Pregnancy Declining? The roles of abstinence, sexual activity and contraceptive use".A League Table of Teenage Births in Rich Nations".