Written question asked by Gerald Howarth (Conservative) on Friday, 14 July 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 20 July 2000. It was answered by Yvette Cooper (Labour) on Thursday, 20 July 2000 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, for what reason his Department does not collect data on the incidence of pregnancy and sexually-transmitted diseases among young people who are in the care of the state; and if he will make a statement. - (Holding answer 19 July 2000).

Answer: Mr. Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health for what reason his Department does not collect data on the incidence of pregnancy and sexually-transmitted diseases among young people who are in the care of the state; and if he will make a statement. [131416] Yvette Cooper: [holding answer 19 July 2000]: The Department does not collect data through social care systems on the incidence of pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases among young people who are in the care of the state. Young people over 16 and those under 16 who are deemed to be Gillick-competent have the right to seek medical advice for pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases without the consent or knowledge of parents or carers. Within the Quality Protects programme, the Department does require councils to draw up proposals for assessing and reducing rates of teenage pregnancy in their areas, especially among those young people for whom they have parenting responsibilities.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 354 c285W; 131416
Session: 1999-00
Subjects: Children in care Pregnancy Statistics Young people Sexually transmitted infections Teenage pregnancy
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk