Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, with reference to the recommendations in paragraphs 85 and 86 of the 2018 Report of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women, what steps he has taken to implement those recommendations in relation to Northern Ireland, since the Abortion (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2022 came into force on the 20 May 2022.

The Government is fully committed to ensuring that all of the recommendations in paragraphs 85 and 86 of the Report of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women, (CEDAW Report) are implemented in Northern Ireland. This includes ensuring that women and girls can access abortion services in Northern Ireland and that CEDAW-compliant Relationship and Sexuality Education is made compulsory for adolescents in Northern Ireland.

On the provision of abortion services, the Regulations laid in May take a dual approach by placing a duty on the Department of Health to act as soon as is reasonably practicable, and taking powers that provide me with the same powers as the Minister of Health for the purpose of implementing these recommendations.

On 20 May, 6 June and 6 September, Northern Ireland Office Ministers wrote to the Minister of Health requesting that he provide a clear and unambiguous commitment that he will comply with the obligations on the Department of Health. The Minister of Health has sought legal advice on this matter which he is considering.

A small team of experts has been established within the Northern Ireland Office, and is working closely and at pace with the Department of Health to prepare a commissioning plan should the Government need to intervene.