Abortion

Lord Wigley Excerpts

Thursday 11th October 2012 Lords Chamber

[Earl Howe]

My Lords, I am sure that the whole House will greatly respect the moral authority that the most reverend Primate carries in all quarters of our community. As regards the law itself, however, we must remember that it was a measure passed by Parliament as a whole. Abortions in this country are carried out legally under the terms of the Act and that must remain the position until Parliament decides otherwise.

[Lord Wigley]

My Lords, will the Minister accept that the introduction of the Act by the noble Lord, Lord Steel, was to head off the horrifying numbers of back-street abortions? Whatever the view of this Chamber and another place may be on the matter in general, we must avoid by all means reverting to that possibility.

[Earl Howe]

My Lords, I am sure that the noble Lord’s comments will find agreement among many Members of your Lordships’ House.