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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Abortion at industrial level - MP | Abortion at industrial level - MP |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| Abortions in England and Wales have reached "industrial levels", according to a Conservative MP who obtained figures on multiple terminations. | Abortions in England and Wales have reached "industrial levels", according to a Conservative MP who obtained figures on multiple terminations. |
| The statistics, for 2006, showed nearly 15,000 women were having their third or more abortion, while 54 of those had terminated eight or more pregnancies. | The statistics, for 2006, showed nearly 15,000 women were having their third or more abortion, while 54 of those had terminated eight or more pregnancies. |
| This was "shocking and disturbing", said Mark Pritchard, who sits on the all-party Pro-life group in Parliament. | This was "shocking and disturbing", said Mark Pritchard, who sits on the all-party Pro-life group in Parliament. |
| Health chiefs say they are working to improve access to contraception. | Health chiefs say they are working to improve access to contraception. |
| Almost £27m would be spent on this in the next financial year, the Department of Health said in a statement, including a "targeted campaign to highlight contraceptive choices available to women" when they have an abortion. | Almost £27m would be spent on this in the next financial year, the Department of Health said in a statement, including a "targeted campaign to highlight contraceptive choices available to women" when they have an abortion. |
| But Mr Pritchard, the MP for The Wrekin in Shropshire, said abortion was being seen as an alternative to contraception "in far too many cases". | But Mr Pritchard, the MP for The Wrekin in Shropshire, said abortion was being seen as an alternative to contraception "in far too many cases". |
| Parliamentary debate | Parliamentary debate |
| MPs are expected to seek a vote on cutting the current 24-week limit for abortions, possibly to 20 weeks, in an amendment to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill. | MPs are expected to seek a vote on cutting the current 24-week limit for abortions, possibly to 20 weeks, in an amendment to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill. |
| This will be debated in Parliament in the coming weeks. | This will be debated in Parliament in the coming weeks. |
| The Conservative leader David Cameron has said he would back a reduction but the government insisted there were "no plans" to change the law. | The Conservative leader David Cameron has said he would back a reduction but the government insisted there were "no plans" to change the law. |
| MPs of all parties are given a free vote - rather than being told how to vote by their party leaders - on what is seen as a conscience issue. | MPs of all parties are given a free vote - rather than being told how to vote by their party leaders - on what is seen as a conscience issue. |
| The figures were supplied to Mr Pritchard in a written Parliamentary reply from health minister Dawn Primarolo. | The figures were supplied to Mr Pritchard in a written Parliamentary reply from health minister Dawn Primarolo. |
| They showed that 193,737 women in England and Wales had an abortion in 2006. | They showed that 193,737 women in England and Wales had an abortion in 2006. |
| During that year, women seeking terminations were most likely to have fallen into the 18-to-24 age category. | During that year, women seeking terminations were most likely to have fallen into the 18-to-24 age category. |
| And of the 54 who had had eight or more abortions, 21 of them were under the age of 30. | And of the 54 who had had eight or more abortions, 21 of them were under the age of 30. |
| Mr Pritchard said. "The government needs to take action to reduce these figures." | Mr Pritchard said. "The government needs to take action to reduce these figures." |
| Women 'at risk' | Women 'at risk' |
| The Department of Health stressed that some of its £26.8 million budget for this area in 2008-9 would be spent in areas with "high and increasing rates of teenage pregnancy and high abortion rates". | |
| All primary care trusts would receive additional funding to improve access to contraception, its statement added. | All primary care trusts would receive additional funding to improve access to contraception, its statement added. |
| "Women who have undergone abortion are at risk of future unintended pregnancies, and represent an important group with unmet contraceptive needs. | "Women who have undergone abortion are at risk of future unintended pregnancies, and represent an important group with unmet contraceptive needs. |
| "Future contraception should be discussed, and supplies offered, before a woman is discharged following abortion." | "Future contraception should be discussed, and supplies offered, before a woman is discharged following abortion." |