Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she make it her policy to include in the review into harassment and intimidation near abortion clinics (a) oral and (b) written evidence from groups involved in such protests; and if she will make a statement.

On 26 November, the Home Secretary [I] announced an in-depth assessment of protests outside abortion clinics, following reports that some women have been subjected to harassment and intimidating behaviour from protestors when visiting family planning clinics to seek information, advice and services from medical professionals.

Undertaken by Home Office officials, the review will collect detailed evidence to inform recommendations on what more needs to be done to ensure that the police, healthcare providers and local authorities have the right powers to protect women making these tough decisions.

The Home Office does not hold the information requested on how many individuals were prosecuted and convicted for alleged harassment or intimidation outside abortion facilities. Information on the number of prosecutions or convictions is the responsibility of the Ministry of Justice and they have informed us that they do not hold the requested information.