To ask the Secretary of State for Health what advice she has received from the Independent Advisory Group on Teenage Pregnancy in regard to educating children about abortion. (101831)

I have been asked to reply.

The Teenage Pregnancy Independent Advisory Group’s (TPIAG) fourth annual report—published in September 2006—did not include a formal recommendation that children should be educated about abortion.

However, in the report’s foreword, the Chair of TPIAG did say

‘Pregnant young women and their partners need to understand all the options open to them, including abortion, so that they can make an informed decision about whether or not to continue with the pregnancy. We are concerned that PSHE programmes often avoid the subject and do not provide sufficient evidence-based information about abortion, therefore leaving pregnant teenagers ill-equipped to assess abortion as an option. Many myths prevail, including the fact that abortion may lead to infertility, which TPIAG is concerned may be a contributory factor to repeat abortions.’

The Government’s response to TPIAG’s report will be published early in 2007.