Written question asked by Bob Spink (Conservative) on Monday, 4 November 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 7 November 2002. It was answered by Hazel Blears (Labour) on Thursday, 7 November 2002 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many (a) NHS and (b) private clinics are licensed to perform abortions up to birth; and if he will list them. - No figures given.

Answer: Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) NHS and (b) private clinics are licensed to perform abortions up to birth; and if he will list them. [79815] Ms Blears: Abortions undertaken after 24 weeks gestation can only be performed in a National Health Service hospital. Under Section 1(3) of the Abortion Act 1967, as amended, NHS hospitals do not need the Secretary of State for Health's approval to perform abortion, at any gestation. However, a pregnancy may only be terminated if two registered medical practitioners are of the opinion, formed in good faith that an abortion is justified within the terms of the Act, in the light of their clinical judgement of all the particular circumstances of the individual case. Beyond 24 weeks gestation, an abortion can only be performed when: the termination is necessary to prevent grave permanent injury to the physical or mental health of the pregnant woman; or the continuance of the pregnancy would involve risk to the life of the pregnant woman, greater than if the pregnancy were terminated; or there is a substantial risk that if the child were born it would suffer from such physical or mental abnormalities as to be seriously handicapped; or to save the life or to prevent grave permanent injury to the physical or mental health of the pregnant woman.

Secondary information