Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Cat Smith and Ben Wallace

Wednesday 20th January 2016 Commons Chamber

[Mr Wallace]

My hon. Friend makes a good point. I will write to the Chancellor and make his points clear to him.

[Cat Smith (Lancaster and Fleetwood) (Lab)]

7. What recent discussions she has had with the Northern Ireland Executive on the adequacy of women’s access to sexual health and family planning services.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Mr Ben Wallace)]

Northern Ireland Office Ministers have had no discussions with the Northern Ireland Executive on the adequacy of women’s access to sexual health and family planning services. However, Department of Health officials discuss sexual health matters with their counterparts in the Northern Ireland Departments as appropriate. Sexual health advice and services in Northern Ireland is a devolved matter.

[Cat Smith]

The Minister will be aware that women in Northern Ireland can, and do, travel to England for abortions on the NHS. However, they cannot access NHS abortions; they have to pay to go privately. Does he agree that this is an inequality issue between women in Northern Ireland and women who live in, say, England?

[Mr Wallace]

The hon. Lady points out an interesting anomaly, and in advance of today I have asked my officials to provide clarity. I do know that there is a court case pending—or before the courts—in Northern Ireland on that very issue. It is important that we get to the bottom of the differences between living in one part of the UK and another and what NHS services are available.