Women 'should have abortion on demand'

By Rosa Prince - Daily Telegraph | Today's Top News

Women will be able to terminate their pregnancy without having to obtain the signatures of two doctors in an overhaul of abortion laws.

Andrew Lansley, the shadow health secretary, told MPs on Monday he would seek to make it easier for women to have an abortion at an early stage, while lowering the time limit for late procedures.

The Government indicated it would not oppose the move meaning it will almost certainly be passed. Next week, the Commons votes on the abortion laws for the first time in nearly two decades, when pro-life MPs will attempt to reduce the limit from 24 weeks to 22 weeks or lower.

Last night the Government avoided a major rebellion as just nine Labour backbenchers voted against the Bill, which was given a Second Reading by 340 votes to 262.

But ministers will face a sterner test when the measures return next week and Labour MPs have a free vote on some of its most contentious elements.

The highly-charged clash will be one of a number of controversial votes on the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill, which also includes plans to allow scientists to create hybrid animal and human embryos.

During the second reading of the Bill, Mr Lansley told MPs that, as part of the debate, he would support an amendment to allow "abortion on demand" by scrapping the two-signature requirement.

He told MPs: "If a woman needs an abortion…then it must be better for that to be an early and medical abortion, rather than later and surgical.

"Therefore, the House should consider whether the request for two doctors to provide approval, and the restriction on a nurse providing a medical abortion require to be maintained." Early medical abortions are performed through the use of drugs.

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Posted on Tuesday, May 13, 2008 at 10:55:17 AM
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