Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, whether he has had recent discussions with the Minister of Health in the Northern Ireland Executive on that Department's responsibility for the provision of abortion services in Northern Ireland.

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 since responded advising that he is considering advice from the Attorney General for Northern Ireland, and will provide an appropriate response once he has fully considered it.

The Abortion (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2022 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.

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 establish a commissioning plan and determine the necessary steps that need to take place to ensure services are delivered without further delay.