CONTRACEPTIVE ADVICE IN SCHOOLS

Early day motion 193A1, tabled 27 January 1999 by Ann Winterton (Conservative). Signed by 30 members.

leave out from 'House' to end and add 'deplores the practice of providing contraceptives and post-coital prescriptions to minors under the age of consent without the knowledge or consent of their parents; notes that such treatments from a practitioner other than the patient's own doctor increases her chance of being given an inappropriate prescription; deeply regrets that these practices are being facilitated at Hayesfield Upper School, Bath, by a member of a Government task force on teenage pregnancy, Viv Crouch; notes with concern Mrs Crouch's defence of the scheme despite the reservations of parents; notes that assertions that this scheme has reduced pregnancies among girls at the school cannot be verified; further notes that the principal action of the post-coital pill is to make the lining of the womb hostile to implantation, and that it therefore reduces pregnancies by killing human embroyos; and invites Hayesfield Upper School to reconsider its approach in favour of strategies which discourage rather than facilitate, illegal and premature sexual activity.'.

Signatures by party: Conservative 16, Labour 5, UUP 4, DUP 2, Labour/Co-operative 1, Liberal Democrat 1, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1.