Crime and Policing Bill

Baroness Falkner of Margravine Excerpts

Committee stage
Monday 2nd February 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Sugg (Con)]

I am specifically referring to telemedicine here, which is provided under 10 weeks. That is what I am talking about when I refer to complication rates. I have absolutely already acknowledged that later medical abortions have a higher rate of complications. That is why telemedicine is a good thing, because it brings the abortions earlier. As we heard, over half now are under seven weeks’ gestation.

I am running out of time, so I will stop there on telemedicine, but maintaining the option of telemedicine up to 10 weeks’ gestation for women who want it is safe, effective and helps ensure that women who have made the decision to have an abortion can access it as early as possible.

[Baroness Falkner of Margravine (CB)]

The noble Baroness has invoked foreign jurisdictions a lot, but is she aware that a lot of them, as the noble Lord, Lord Weir, explained, have lower term limits whereby an abortion might be legal? She mentioned the United States, where she said there was no prosecution for abortion at all. Is she aware of how many states in the United States simply do not allow abortion? It is hardly surprising that there are no prosecutions if you do not allow abortion at all.

--- Later in debate ---

I turn to Amendment 461D in the name of the noble Baroness, Lady Wolf of Dulwich, spoken to by the noble Baroness, Lady Falkner. Your Lordships may wish to note that this offence would apply if a woman or another person were knowingly to receive the abortifacient drug by post, even if they did not ingest it or use it to induce an abortion. In addition, abortifacient drugs are not defined in the amendment. One of the drugs prescribed in respect of early medical abortions under the Abortion Act 1967 is misoprostol. This drug is also used for purposes not related to abortion, such as preventing stomach ulcers when taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. It is also used in miscarriage management, postpartum haemorrhage and induction of labour. This amendment would mean that individuals who are lawfully prescribed this medication for a purpose other than abortion, who received it by post, would be committing a criminal offence. It may also be helpful for your Lordships to be aware that this amendment—

[Baroness Falkner of Margravine (CB)]

I will be very brief because I am conscious of the time. The other purposes for which this drug is prescribed do not require any face-to-face examination—am I correct in understanding that is what the noble Baroness is saying?