asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many miscarriages were attended by general practitioners in 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, and 1976.

The nearest indication to the number of miscarriages attended by general practitioners is the number of "miscarriage fees" paid. As explained below, however, these do not give an accurate guide. The numbers for the years in question are as follows:

1972	…	…	…	…	46,099
1973	…	…	…	…	42,999
1974	…	…	…	…	40,945
1975	…	…	…	…	41,328
1976	…	…	…	…	40,658

The "miscarriage fee" is not paid in some cases where miscarriage occurs before the eighth week of pregnancy. On the other hand, it is payable where the practitioner attends the patient and refers her to hospital for treatment of miscarriage; and since 1974 it has been payable where the practitioner gives antenatal care but is not present at the miscarriage itself—because a therapeutic termination of pregnancy is arranged.