asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what evidence he has of an increase in the incidence of illegal abortions since the Abortion Act 1967 came into effect; what representations he has received on this matter; and if he will make a statement.

I have received no representations about an increase in the incidence of illegal abortions. I quoted certain indicators of the incidence of illegal abortions in my reply to the hon. Member for Barking (Miss Richardson) on 19 July 1979—[Vol 970, c. 828–9]. Estimates are now available for 1976 of the number of cases treated in hospital with a main diagnosis of illegal abortion (110) and discharges from hospital following diagnosis of septic abortion (700). These estimates are subject to sampling error as I then explained. The number of offences of illegal abortion recorded by the police since 1967 are:Offences of illegal abortion recorded by the police