Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what measures his Department has in place to ensure that independent-sector providers of abortion services comply with the requirements of the Procedures for the Approval of Independent Sector Places for the Termination of Pregnancy, published in May 2014.

All independent sector places undertaking termination of pregnancy are required to comply with:

- the Abortion Act 1967 and regulations made under that Act;

- the requirements set out in regulations made under the Health and Social Care Act 2008; and

- the Required Standard Operating Procedures (RSOPs) published in May 2014, incorporating new guidance relating to the legal requirements of the Abortion Act.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is responsible for ensuring that the requirements under the Health and Social Care Act 2008 are maintained through a system of monitoring and, where appropriate, inspection visits. If a CQC inspection identifies instances of non-compliance with the Health and Social Care Act and Regulations then appropriate regulatory action will be taken. Action will similarly be taken where providers are found not to be acting in accordance with the Abortion Act and RSOPs.