asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on the findings of the Women's National Commission working group's report on "Women and the Health Service" regarding the availability of National Health Service abortion services; and what action he proposes to take as a consequence of the report.

We have noted the Commissions findings. It is for health authorities to decide the level and scope of their provision for abortion, in the light of local needs and circumstances. We are discussing with them how delays in abortion operations might be reduced.