Abortion

House of Lords written question – answered at on 30 January 2014.

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Photo of Lord Alton of Liverpool Lord Alton of Liverpool Crossbench

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Chief Medical Officer’s letter to general practitioners and hospitals on the subject of the illegality of sex-selective abortions, whether they are satisfied that the guidance contained therein has been followed; and upon what evidence they base that judgement.

Photo of Earl Howe Earl Howe The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health

Abortion on the grounds of gender alone is illegal. It is not one of the lawful grounds for termination.

We expect doctors to take account of guidance from the Chief Medical Officer (CMO), and it is for two doctors to satisfy themselves in good faith that there are grounds for an abortion under the Abortion Act 1967, and to defend their decision if challenged.

The Department will continue to monitor birth ratios by mothers' country of birth on an annual basis and also examine other sources of information and evidence. Birth data for the year following the CMO letter of February 2012 will be published shortly. Any specific allegations about sex selection abortions being undertaken will be reported to the police.

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