Written Question
Monday 28th October 2019
Asked by:
Fiona Bruce (Conservative - Congleton)
Question
to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what estimate the Government has made of the potential number of abortions in Northern Ireland by unregulated practitioners between 22 October 2019 and 31 March 2020 due to the lack of a legal framework.
Answered by Julian Smith
The health and safety of women and girls, and clarity and certainty for the medical profession, is at the forefront of the Government’s approach in complying with the legal duty under section 9 of the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc) Act 2019.
On 7 October 2019, I published guidance on gov.uk/nio on the framework in place during the interim period which aims to provide clarity on the abortion law in Northern Ireland, including on medicine legislation in relation to abortion.
While the decriminalisation of abortion in Northern Ireland took effect on 22 October 2019, repealing criminal offences specifically relating to procuring abortion does not repeal other relevant criminal laws that exist to protect individuals. For instance, it will remain a criminal offence for anyone to assist or wilfully act to ‘destroy the life of a child then capable of being born alive’, except where the purpose is to preserve the life of the mother ‘in good faith’.
We do not expect there to be any additional services available ahead of the new legal framework being in place by 31 March 2020. Existing medical procedures are and will continue to be carefully regulated, and must be carried out by qualified health professionals in regulated premises with appropriate quality and care oversight.
Ahead of the new legal framework from 31 March 2020, women and girls resident in Northern Ireland will be able to continue to access services in England, with all costs of the procedure, including travel and, where needed, accommodation, being paid for from 22 October 2019.
The Government recognises there are a range of sensitive policy issues that will need to be carefully worked, which is why we will be consulting on the new proposed framework shortly.
Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 09 Sep 2019
Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc) Act 2019 Section 3(2)
"Ministers will understand that I am disappointed that we have been unable to discuss the reports on human trafficking and gambling this evening, given that they were reviewed as a result of amendments that I tabled to the original Bill. I would therefore appreciate an assurance from Ministers that these …..."Fiona Bruce - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 09 Sep 2019
Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc) Act 2019 Section 3(2)
"I thank the hon. Gentleman for that intervention.
I have a few questions for the Minister. First, could he give more detail on the five bullet points on page 25 of the review, which give inadequate information on some really key issues, such as the scoping of how best to …..."Fiona Bruce - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 18 Jul 2019
Northern Ireland (Executive Formation) Bill
"I rise to oppose the totally new Lords-amended clause 9. If the amendment is agreed to, Northern Ireland will have the most permissive abortion law in the British Isles.
The way in which the issue of abortion and, indeed, the Bill has been handled has been, I believe, unconstitutional, undemocratic, …..."Fiona Bruce - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 18 Jul 2019
Northern Ireland (Executive Formation) Bill
"Thank you, Mr Speaker, for giving me the opportunity to put my opinion on the record in respect of the way the Bill has been extended beyond what I believe what was its original intention. Indeed, I spoke to that effect when it was discussed in the House only a …..."Fiona Bruce - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Tue 09 Jul 2019
Northern Ireland (Executive Formation) Bill
"I find myself in agreement with the concerns expressed by the Chair of the Women and Equalities Committee about the far-reaching implications of new clause 10, which relates to abortion law changes in Northern Ireland but has implications for England and Wales, too. So I am against that proposal, and …..."Fiona Bruce - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Tue 09 Jul 2019
Northern Ireland (Executive Formation) Bill
"I will come on to that point in considerable detail in my speech, if Members will bear with me...."Fiona Bruce - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Tue 09 Jul 2019
Northern Ireland (Executive Formation) Bill
"I absolutely agree. If Members will permit me, I will go into detail on those concerns.
Last year, this House debated a similar Bill and many similar arguments were aired when we debated the amendment tabled by the hon. Member for Walthamstow (Stella Creasy), which was passed and became section …..."Fiona Bruce - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Tue 09 Jul 2019
Northern Ireland (Executive Formation) Bill
"Will the hon. Lady give way?..."Fiona Bruce - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Tue 09 Jul 2019
Northern Ireland (Executive Formation) Bill
"Will the Minister give way?..."Fiona Bruce - View Speech
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