Northern Ireland: Misoprostol

Debate between Lord Duncan of Springbank and Lord Morris of Aberavon

Wednesday 5th September 2018 Lords Chamber

[Lord Morris of Aberavon (Lab)]

My Lords, following my noble friend Lady Thornton’s Question, will the Minister clarify what is devolved and what is not devolved in this issue?

[Lord Duncan of Springbank]

The wider matter of abortion remains fully devolved. The evolution and introduction of new technologies and drugs that can bring about that abortion still rest under the overarching architecture of the legislation as it pertains to abortion. In these areas, to bring about appropriate legislation to address this, it must be developed and taken forward by the Assembly and the democratically elected individuals of Northern Ireland. That is very clearly the position that we must strive toward: to secure a sustainable Executive who can ultimately deliver their response to the very important questions raised by a number of your Lordships today.