To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many women are known to have died within one month of operations for termination of pregnancy notified under the Abortion Regulations in each year since 1997; and what cause of death was recorded on the death certificate in each case. (81176)

The confidential inquiry into maternal and child health reports information on deaths following termination of pregnancy up to one year after the event. In the period 1997 to 2002 there were only seven such deaths known to the inquiry. Further information is contained within the two triennial reports on confidential inquiries into maternal deaths in the United Kingdom for the periods 1997-99 and 2000-02, which are available at www.cemach.org.uk.