REPEAT ABORTIONS

Early day motion 349, tabled 3 July 2013 by Fiona Bruce (Conservative). Signed by 18 members.

That this House endorses the views of Lord Steel of Aikwood expressed in the House of Lords on 6 June 2013 that the use by some women of abortion as a form of contraception is thoroughly undesirable; is concerned that the Minister confirmed in answer to Lord Steel's question that 36 per cent of abortions in England and Wales are now performed on women who have had one or more previous abortions; is profoundly alarmed to learn that some women have had as many as eight abortions and recalls with profound regret that 6.2 million abortions have taken place since 1968 and that in the last eight years, fewer than 10 in total have been emergency cases where a life was at risk; believes that the way the Abortion Act 1967 is today enforced is far from the intentions of those who supported its enactment; invites the Secretary of State for Health to look again at the lack of counselling that is given to women presenting with pregnancies to ensure they are fully aware of the options open to them and are encouraged to give serious consideration to the choices they make; and calls on the police and inspection authorities to ensure that the provisions of the Abortion Act 1967 are properly enforced and, where breaches are identified, that prosecutions are brought.

Signatures by party: DUP 6, Labour 5, Conservative 4, Social Democratic and Labour Party 2, Alliance 1.