Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what guidance his Department has issued on the disposal of post-abortive foetuses by hospitals and private clinics.

The Human Tissue Authority published guidance on the disposal of pregnancy remains following pregnancy loss or termination in March 2015. The guidance sets out the minimum standard expected for the disposal of tissue following pregnancy loss or termination of pregnancy and applies equally to National Health Service hospitals and independent sector providers. A copy of the guidance can be viewed at:

https://www.hta.gov.uk/sites/default/files/Guidance_on_the_disposal_of_fetal_remains.pdf