To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many abortions have been performed by Marie Stopes International in the last three years, broken down by (a) grounds, (b) length of gestation, (c) location and (d) nationality of the pregnant woman; how many inspections were carried out on premises occupied by Marie Stopes International in each of the last three years; how many complaints have been received by her Department about Marie Stopes International in the same period; and if she will make a statement. (129525)

Information on the number of abortions performed by Marie Stopes International (MSI) in England by grounds, gestation and the woman’s place of residence is set out in the following table. The place of termination has been withheld in order to protect individuals’ confidentiality. This is in line with the Office for National Statistics’ guidance on the disclosure of abortion statistics, 2005.

Approved independent sector abortion clinics are inspected by the Healthcare Commission on an annual basis. Copies of the inspection reports can be viewed at:

www.healthcarecommission.org.uk.

The Department has received a small number of complaints during the last three years which were investigated. Under the Care Standards Act 2000, MSI is required to supply each patient with a written copy of its complaints procedure, fully investigate each complaint and maintain a detailed, written record of each complaint. MSI is also required to send the Healthcare Commission a statement every year with a summary of the complaints received.

In addition, the Healthcare Commission look at these records as part of a clinic inspection.