Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has taken steps to reduce the number of pregnancies terminated beyond 24 weeks.

No steps have been taken to reduce the number of pregnancies terminated beyond 24 weeks gestation.

Abortion in England and Wales is governed by the Abortion Act 1967, which defines the criteria under which terminations can take place. Under the act, termination of pregnancies beyond 24 weeks is only permitted in limited circumstances. Before a termination can proceed, there is a legal requirement for two doctors to certify that in their opinion, which must be formed in good faith, at least one of the grounds for abortion as set out in the act are met, and these must be the same grounds.