Abortion (Northern Ireland) (No. 2) Regulations 2020

Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town Excerpts

Monday 15th June 2020 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town (Lab)]

My Lords, the amendments are in a way not quite what they appear, and the support we have seen is actually from people who fundamentally disagree with abortion and who want to prevent women from having abortions in Northern Ireland. However, let us be clear, women will still have abortions, as has been said, but they will be forced to travel—including in transport that is very high risk at the moment—to have their legal right either in England or elsewhere. That might salve the conscience of those who do not want abortions to take place in Northern Ireland, but they will still take place. Let us do this properly. Let us allow abortions to take place where they have to—they are never wanted—in the place nearest to where those women live.