David Alton on abortion and advertising

David Alton

Whether or not it is licit to take the life of an unborn child is not an uncontroversial or uncontested question. All the more extraordinary, therefore, that permission has been given for abortion to be advertised on British television and radio as just another “service” – like buying a washing up liquid or insurance for your car. Surely this represents the ultimate dehumanisation and commodification of developing life in the womb. Those who advocate abortion as a “reproductive service” (now there’s an oxymoron: the one thing it doesn’t assist is reproduction) or who fail to see the tragic irony when they insist on “safe” abortions (it’s never safe for the child) should question how increasing the multi-million revenues of abortion clinics adds to the dignity or the humanity of women, or, indeed, of the rest of us.

What a paradox, too, that smoking is banned from TV advertising – not least because of the damage which smoking does to a pregnant woman’s unborn child – and yet adding to the daily toll of around 600 abortions is not seen as an ethical issue worthy of grave or serious reflection, but just another jingle, just another ad, suggesting that there’s nothing questionable about taking the life of your unborn child.

Lord Alton of Liverpool to ask Her Majesty’s Government what information they have regarding the basis on which the decision was taken to allow for-profit organisations to advertise abortion services on television; what representations they have received since September 2011 about the advertising of abortion services on radio and television, and from whom; what powers they have to regulate, and to prevent, such advertising; and what products or services may not be advertised on radio or television.

Lord Alton of Liverpool to ask Her Majesty’s Government who made the decision to permit for-profit organisations to advertise abortion services on radio and television; what assessment was made of any previous complaints about the advertising of abortion-related services on television and radio; whether the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport, other Ministers in his Department, and officials in that Department, were consulted; and, if so, what response they gave.

Lord Alton of Liverpool to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have the power to review advertisements for abortion services by for-profit organisations before they are broadcast; if they do, what use they intend to make of that power; and, if not, whether they will bring forward legislation to confer that power.

David Alton

(Professor Lord Alton of Liverpool)

House of Lords,

London SW1A OPW

www.davidalton.com