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MPs to vote on abortion limit cut MPs to vote on abortion limit cut
(about 1 hour later)
MPs are preparing to debate and vote on whether to cut the 24-week upper limit for abortions to 20 weeks or less.MPs are preparing to debate and vote on whether to cut the 24-week upper limit for abortions to 20 weeks or less.
The proposed cuts come in amendments to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill, and will be debated from about 1830 BST, with votes at about 2200 BST.The proposed cuts come in amendments to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill, and will be debated from about 1830 BST, with votes at about 2200 BST.
MPs have a free vote rather than being told how to vote by their party.MPs have a free vote rather than being told how to vote by their party.
They will also debate a plan to say IVF clinics should see evidence of "supportive parenting", rather than focusing on the need for a father. They are currently debating a plan to say IVF clinics should need evidence of "supportive parenting", rather than focusing on the need for a father.
It is the second day of debate on the bill, and comes after MPs voted down a cross-party attempt to ban hybrid human animal embryos.It is the second day of debate on the bill, and comes after MPs voted down a cross-party attempt to ban hybrid human animal embryos.
Health minister Dawn Primarolo insists there is no evidence requiring the abortion laws to be changed.Health minister Dawn Primarolo insists there is no evidence requiring the abortion laws to be changed.
She told BBC News: "There is no science that shows us that the survival rates have changed since we took the decision to have the time limit at 24 weeks." She told BBC News: "There is no science that shows us that the survival rates have changed since we took the decision to have the time limit at 24 weeks."
ENGLAND AND WALES ABORTIONS Under 9 weeks: 54.9%9-12 weeks: 34.3%13-19 weeks: 9.2% 20-24 weeks: 1.5% ONS figures from 2006 Abortion: Medical evidenceHow MPs voted on embryosAbortions 1971-2006ENGLAND AND WALES ABORTIONS Under 9 weeks: 54.9%9-12 weeks: 34.3%13-19 weeks: 9.2% 20-24 weeks: 1.5% ONS figures from 2006 Abortion: Medical evidenceHow MPs voted on embryosAbortions 1971-2006
She also said the government wanted to protect the right of women to choose.She also said the government wanted to protect the right of women to choose.
However, David Jones, a professor of bio-ethics, said research on the survival rates for extremely premature babies was "disputed".However, David Jones, a professor of bio-ethics, said research on the survival rates for extremely premature babies was "disputed".
Conservative MP Nadine Dorries, who put forward the amendment to change the abortion laws, said she believed the right of a woman to choose had its limits.Conservative MP Nadine Dorries, who put forward the amendment to change the abortion laws, said she believed the right of a woman to choose had its limits.
She said: "If a baby feels pain as part of a barbaric abortion process - which is what happens post-20 weeks - and if we know that baby could live if it was allowed to be born, then there comes the point when that baby has rights which are of equal parity to the mother's."She said: "If a baby feels pain as part of a barbaric abortion process - which is what happens post-20 weeks - and if we know that baby could live if it was allowed to be born, then there comes the point when that baby has rights which are of equal parity to the mother's."
'Difficult matter''Difficult matter'
Conservative leader David Cameron told GMTV earlier he would vote to lower the limit to 22 weeks but added, as an issue of conscience, he expected Conservatives to vote "in all sorts of different directions".Conservative leader David Cameron told GMTV earlier he would vote to lower the limit to 22 weeks but added, as an issue of conscience, he expected Conservatives to vote "in all sorts of different directions".
ABORTION VOTES LIKELY 12 weeks18 weeks20 weeks22 weeks Q&A: Abortion lawABORTION VOTES LIKELY 12 weeks18 weeks20 weeks22 weeks Q&A: Abortion law
Prime Minister Gordon Brown told the BBC he would vote to maintain the current limit. He said it was a "very difficult matter" but that the medical evidence had not changed.Prime Minister Gordon Brown told the BBC he would vote to maintain the current limit. He said it was a "very difficult matter" but that the medical evidence had not changed.
Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg is also expected to vote against any reduction.Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg is also expected to vote against any reduction.
Government figures show that 193,737 women in England and Wales had an abortion in 2006.Government figures show that 193,737 women in England and Wales had an abortion in 2006.
We are expecting considerable support and believe the government could be defeated Ian LucasPro-Life campaign Q&A: The issues explainedWe are expecting considerable support and believe the government could be defeated Ian LucasPro-Life campaign Q&A: The issues explained
Previous attempts to force a vote on lowering the abortion limit have been defeated, but as there is a free vote on the issue, an unknown number of MPs may choose to stay away, or abstain.Previous attempts to force a vote on lowering the abortion limit have been defeated, but as there is a free vote on the issue, an unknown number of MPs may choose to stay away, or abstain.
That increases the chances of those campaigning to lower the limit to 20 or 22 weeks, who claim to have the backing of 200 MPs.That increases the chances of those campaigning to lower the limit to 20 or 22 weeks, who claim to have the backing of 200 MPs.
There are also likely to be votes on lowering the limit to 12 weeks and 18 weeks.There are also likely to be votes on lowering the limit to 12 weeks and 18 weeks.
Need for fatherNeed for father
Ian Lucas, the campaign manager of the Pro-Life Group, said: "We are expecting considerable support and believe the government could be defeated."Ian Lucas, the campaign manager of the Pro-Life Group, said: "We are expecting considerable support and believe the government could be defeated."
Before the abortion limit vote, MPs will debate and vote on the role of fathers in IVF before 1900 BST. Ahead of the abortion debate, MPs are debating the role of fathers in IVF. Votes on the issue are expected before 1900 BST.
Existing legislation requires IVF clinics to consider the "welfare" of any child created, which currently means considering the need for a father.Existing legislation requires IVF clinics to consider the "welfare" of any child created, which currently means considering the need for a father.
HAVE YOUR SAYThis is about a woman having the right to choose what happens to her bodyLeana, Shropshire Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAYThis is about a woman having the right to choose what happens to her bodyLeana, Shropshire Send us your comments
However, the new bill says this should no longer be the case, saying instead there needs to be evidence of "supportive parenting".However, the new bill says this should no longer be the case, saying instead there needs to be evidence of "supportive parenting".
On Monday night a cross-party attempt to ban hybrid animal embryos was defeated.On Monday night a cross-party attempt to ban hybrid animal embryos was defeated.
Roman Catholic cabinet ministers Ruth Kelly, Des Browne and Paul Murphy voted for a ban, while Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Tory leader David Cameron both opposed it.Roman Catholic cabinet ministers Ruth Kelly, Des Browne and Paul Murphy voted for a ban, while Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Tory leader David Cameron both opposed it.
And a bid to ban "saviour siblings" was voted down by 342 votes to 163.And a bid to ban "saviour siblings" was voted down by 342 votes to 163.
The votes followed two impassioned debates in the committee stage of the bill, aimed at updating laws from 1990 in line with scientific advances. The votes followed two impassioned debates in the committee stage of the bill, aimed at updating laws from 1990 in line with scientific advances.
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