This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/7409696.stm

The article has changed 36 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 22 Version 23
MPs to vote on abortion limit cut MPs to vote on abortion limit cut
(about 1 hour later)
MPs have been begun debating whether to cut the 24-week upper limit for abortions to 20 weeks or less. MPs have begun debating 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 with voting due at about 2200 BST.The proposed cuts come in amendments to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill with voting due at about 2200 BST.
Tory MP Edward Leigh, who is proposing a 12-week limit, said it would bring Britain in line with most of Europe.Tory MP Edward Leigh, who is proposing a 12-week limit, said it would bring Britain in line with most of Europe.
However, Labour's Chris McCafferty said limiting when a woman can have an abortion is "cynical, cruel, ill-informed and inhumane".However, Labour's Chris McCafferty said limiting when a woman can have an abortion is "cynical, cruel, ill-informed and inhumane".
MPs earlier rejected a cross-party move for doctors to consider the need for a "father and a mother" before allowing IVF treatment.MPs earlier rejected a cross-party move for doctors to consider the need for a "father and a mother" before allowing IVF treatment.
Survival rates 'disputed'Survival rates 'disputed'
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.
I believe that terminating a child that has been woven and knitted in the womb should be a choice of last resort - not the latest manifestation of Britain's throwaway society Mark PritchardConservative MP In quotes: Abortion debateI believe that terminating a child that has been woven and knitted in the womb should be a choice of last resort - not the latest manifestation of Britain's throwaway society Mark PritchardConservative MP In quotes: Abortion debate
"The upper gestational limit for termination of pregnancy was set by Parliament in 1990 at 24 weeks because the scientific evidence of the time was that the threshold of viability had increased and babies were increasingly surviving at 24 weeks and above."The upper gestational limit for termination of pregnancy was set by Parliament in 1990 at 24 weeks because the scientific evidence of the time was that the threshold of viability had increased and babies were increasingly surviving at 24 weeks and above.
"That was the case in 1990 and it's certainly the case now.""That was the case in 1990 and it's certainly the case now."
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 reached this decision after seeing the "botched" abortion of a baby boy when she was a gynae-nurse, she said.
"I believe a baby has rights. Those rights kick in if that baby were born it would have a chance of life and if it feels pain as part of the abortion," she said.
'Protect the vulnerable''Protect the vulnerable'
In the Commons, ex-minister Mr Leigh, a father-of-six, said countries, including France, Portugal, Austria, Belgium, Germany, Greece and Spain, have an abortion limit of 10 to 12 weeks.In the Commons, ex-minister Mr Leigh, a father-of-six, said countries, including France, Portugal, Austria, Belgium, Germany, Greece and Spain, have an abortion limit of 10 to 12 weeks.
Only in the UK, Holland, Latvia, Lithuania and Cyprus is there a 24-week limit, he said.Only in the UK, Holland, Latvia, Lithuania and Cyprus is there a 24-week limit, he said.
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
"In modern Britain the most dangerous place to be is in your mother's womb," he said. "It should be a place of sanctity.""In modern Britain the most dangerous place to be is in your mother's womb," he said. "It should be a place of sanctity."
He said that "98% of abortions are social - only 1.3% are for foetuses which are handicapped, 0.4% are for risk to mother's life. "It is a bleak picture of modern Britain ...He said that "98% of abortions are social - only 1.3% are for foetuses which are handicapped, 0.4% are for risk to mother's life. "It is a bleak picture of modern Britain ...
"I believe we should give that silent child a voice," he said."I believe we should give that silent child a voice," he said.
Labour's Claire Curtis-Thomas said she was not opposed to abortion, believing that women have the right to choose. "I just hope they don't choose to have an abortion," she said, adding that she would be happier with a 12-week limit.Labour's Claire Curtis-Thomas said she was not opposed to abortion, believing that women have the right to choose. "I just hope they don't choose to have an abortion," she said, adding that she would be happier with a 12-week limit.
"I can't accept that we keep the limit where it stands where there is a possibility of life. The majority of people are deeply uncomfortable with that prospect," she said."I can't accept that we keep the limit where it stands where there is a possibility of life. The majority of people are deeply uncomfortable with that prospect," she said.
"Our job is to protect the vulnerable. For me they have the right to life.""Our job is to protect the vulnerable. For me they have the right to life."
Tory Mark Pritchard, who would like the limit to be 16 weeks, said: "I believe that terminating a child that has been woven and knitted in the womb should be a choice of last resort - not the latest manifestation of Britain's throwaway society."Tory Mark Pritchard, who would like the limit to be 16 weeks, said: "I believe that terminating a child that has been woven and knitted in the womb should be a choice of last resort - not the latest manifestation of Britain's throwaway society."
'Difficult matter''Difficult matter'
But Ms McCafferty said restricting when a woman can have a termination "is just prolonging the agony".But Ms McCafferty said restricting when a woman can have a termination "is just prolonging the agony".
"It's a basic misconception that women with an unwanted pregnancy should only enter into the actual decision-making process after counselling with someone they do not know," she said."It's a basic misconception that women with an unwanted pregnancy should only enter into the actual decision-making process after counselling with someone they do not know," she said.
ABORTION VOTES LIKELY 12 weeks18 weeks20 weeks22 weeks Q&A: Abortion lawABORTION VOTES LIKELY 12 weeks18 weeks20 weeks22 weeks Q&A: Abortion law
Ex-Cabinet minister Ann Widdecombe asked why "viability" of the child should be the only determining factor in setting the limit for abortions.Ex-Cabinet minister Ann Widdecombe asked why "viability" of the child should be the only determining factor in setting the limit for abortions.
"There is a substantial body of evidence about foetal pain and foetal distress and if the child who is being aborted cannot live, what's the point of the lethal injection?""There is a substantial body of evidence about foetal pain and foetal distress and if the child who is being aborted cannot live, what's the point of the lethal injection?"
Lib Dem Dr John Pugh said: "There are people in our world today in no way inferior to us in capacity, intelligence and beauty who were born at 22 weeks. That ought to give us cause for reflection."
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".
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."
Ahead of the abortion debate, MPs voted down, by 292 votes to 217, an amendment that makes it a condition of IVF treatment that there be both a "father and a mother".Ahead of the abortion debate, MPs voted down, by 292 votes to 217, an amendment that makes it a condition of IVF treatment that there be both a "father and a mother".
They also opposed a further bid to ensure there is a "father or a male role model" before fertility treatment, by 290 votes to 222.They also opposed a further bid to ensure there is a "father or a male role model" before fertility treatment, by 290 votes to 222.
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.
Return to storyReturn to story