Lord Alton calls for independent inquiry into Abortion Act

Lord Alton

Following the latest abortion statistics for England and Wales, demonstrating a disturbing trend in multiple abortions, Lord Alton, Chairman of the British Parliament's Cross-Party Working Group on Human Dignity, has called on the UK government to instigate an independent inquiry into the workings of the Abortion Act. The recently released 2011 statistics show that 36 per cent of women undergoing abortions in 2011 had already been through at least one other abortion with one report pointing to three teenage girls who, between them, had a total of 24 NHS abortions

These recent revelations are part of a catalogue of disclosures that portray an increasingly unmanageable service freely abusing its autonomy - at least with regards to the unborn.

Last November, it was revealed the Department of Health had vastly understated the amount being spent on abortions, as well as the proportion going to private providers; then, the multi-million link between abortion providers and referral agencies became known; in February this year, The Daily Telegraph exposed the wide-spread use of illegal gender-select abortions leading to a criminal investigation; and now with the troubling statistics released this month, it is absolutely clear that Parliament is failing to oversee the working of the Abortion Act in protecting the dignity of all human life.

Perhaps most worrying of the 2011 statistics is the high number of teenagers undergoing multiple abortions. The deep psychological effects abortion can have on a woman are well publicised and recognised by most as a critical concern. Despite this, little to nothing is being done to help those who have been through this process - with all the anguish and distress it entails - multiple times before they have even reached full emotional maturity.

This week, a Written Question to the Department of Health on these concerns elucidated little in the way of a new strategy from the British Government.

Speaking at Westminster, Lord Alton told the Rome-based Dignitatis Humanae Institute:

“Ministers now hide behind the mantra that they will not comment on what they describe as individual cases, saying it is simply an issue for the person ending the pregnancy and her doctors. But this is not true. This is a question for society as a whole - otherwise why would it be governed by the law of the land? There is clearly a fundamental problem with a society in which teenage girls are undergoing multiple abortions at such a young age. There are also huge implications for the physical and psychological well-being of the girls involved. What little counselling that is provided by the abortion providers is evidently failing. Given the general inertia and widespread institutional resistance to comply with the law, the time for an independent inquiry into the workings of the Abortion Act has come. Can anyone imagine any other issue, in which 600 lives were ended each day each day, where hundreds of millions of pounds of public money are involved, and where significant ethical and public health questions arise, and which Parliament did not believe it right to instigate a thorough-going independent inquiry?"

Health Minister Earl Howe’s response to Lord Alton’s Written Question can be read here:

Question - 11 June 2012 Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool

To ask Her Majesty's Government what conclusions they have drawn from reports that three teenage girls have had a total of 24 NHS abortions; what costs were incurred; and what assessment has been made of the impact on the physical and psychological health of the girls involved.[HL515]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe): It would not be appropriate to comment on individual cases. The decision to terminate a pregnancy rests with the woman and her doctors.

It is important for women in Great Britain to be able to access safe, legal abortion services; the Abortion Act 1967 (as amended) makes provision for this. Any abortion performed outside the terms of the Abortion Act 1967 is illegal.

Improving sexual health by reducing unintended pregnancies is very important, particularly for young people. Improving Outcomes and Supporting Transparency: A Public Health Outcomes Framework for England 2013-16, which was published on 23 January 2012 includes an indicator for under-18 conceptions. A copy has been placed
in the Library.

The Government recognise that easy access to the full range of contraception provision is an important part of healthcare, which helps people to make informed decisions about how to avoid unintended pregnancy and plan their families. All women opting to terminate a pregnancy should on each occasion be given advice on the various methods of contraception and supplies, of their chosen method. Many local areas are providing tailored, ongoing support to young women undergoing abortions to help reduce the risk of further unintended pregnancies.