Skip to main content

Abortion: Legislation

Volume 461: debated on Wednesday 20 June 2007

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what recent discussions (a) she, (b) Ministers in her Department and (c) officials have had with the British Medical Association on possible amendments on abortion to the Draft Human Tissue and Embryos Bill; and if she will make a statement; (142820)

(2) what recent representations she has received from (a) hon. Members and (b) members of the public on possible amendments on abortion to the Draft Human Tissue and Embryos Bill; what response she has given; and if she will make a statement.

The Secretary of State for Health, Health Ministers and officials have had no recent discussions with the British Medical Association about possible amendments on abortion to the draft Human Tissue and Embryos Bill, and no such recent representations have been received from hon. Members or members of the public.

It is accepted parliamentary practice that proposals for changes in the law on abortion have come from Backbench Members and that decisions are made on the basis of free votes. The Government have no plans to change the law on abortion.