Abortion in Northern Ireland

Debate between Huw Merriman and Brandon Lewis

Thursday 25th March 2021 Commons Chamber

[Brandon Lewis]

As I said earlier, I absolutely recognise the sensitivity and the strength of feeling of people across the House, in some cases, and as the right hon. Gentleman outlines, in Northern Ireland. First of all, this is about ensuring that we follow through on the legal obligations that Parliament put on me. It is also only right that women and girls in Northern Ireland are able to make those individual, informed decisions, with the right medical support and advice provided locally, based on their own health and wider circumstances, in the way that women and girls living elsewhere in the United Kingdom can. I absolutely fervently hope that the Department of Health in Northern Ireland and the Minister for Health in Northern Ireland will take this forward and deal with it locally, so that Parliament does not need to take further action.

[Huw Merriman (Bexhill and Battle) (Con)]

I thank the Secretary of State not only for taking this action but for using the power of the Dispatch Box to tell harrowing tales of what women and girls have had to suffer. I went to Northern Ireland some years back and heard those same tales, and I vowed that I would do what I could to bring about this change. Equally, I have respect for those across the divide who have a very different view. Does he agree that views are now irrelevant, and that what is relevant is the law? The law is clear and has been passed by Parliament—a view has been expressed by Parliament. If that were not the case, does he agree that another of those unfortunate victims in Northern Ireland would have to go through the court process and compel him to act?

[Brandon Lewis]

My hon. Friend has been a powerful voice on this issue, along with other colleagues, over the last period. I know that a number of people appreciate the support he has given and everything he has done to make sure that women and girls in Northern Ireland get the right support and care. He is absolutely right: we really should not be in a position where people have to bring this matter to court individually in order to get the right healthcare. Parliament has put a legal obligation on us. There is now a legal requirement and a legal duty. I hope the Department of Health in Northern Ireland will take this forward itself, but we obviously have a legal and moral obligation in this House to follow through on the legal obligations that were put in place in 2019.